Page 39 of The Endless War

She did know it. Knew that he’d find some way to tempt her into giving in, and excitement throbbed through her veins at the anticipation of what he might do. The corner of her mouth curled into a smile; then she closed her eyes.

His breath caught, the hard length of his cock pressing against the small of her back as he leaned into her. A challenge always seemed to entice him more than anything she could do with fingers or tongue, and her body trembled with anticipation.

“I want you to see what I see,” he said into her ear, sending shivers through her body. “I want you to worship at your own shrine so that you know what it’s like to be on my knees before you.”

“Words won’t win you this battle,” she breathed, tilting her head back to rest it against his shoulder. “I want you in me.”

“Then look.” His voice was velvet as he closed an arm around her body, hand beneath her breast as he pulled her tight against him. “One look.”

Smiling, Zarrah shook her head, and a second later, his free hand captured her own. He lifted it to her face, guiding her fingers over her cheekbones and brow, tangling them in a lock of her hair before trailing them down her throat and over her collarbone. She quivered as her fingertips moved over the scars on her arms, over the peaks of her breasts, the faint lines on her hips. Keris didn’t touch her once, yet touched her everywhere, showing her what he saw. Showing her what he worshipped.

Desire burned like an inferno between her thighs, the aching need to be filled by him making her want to weep as she shuddered beneathher own touch. “Please, Keris. I need you in me.”

“Then look.”

She clamped her eyelids tighter, knowing she was warring against herself, not him, as she rocked against him, relishing his groan as the tip of his cock rubbed against her spine.

“Cruel goddess,” he breathed, then pulled her hand down to her sex, sliding her fingers between her aching folds. She was hot and slick, and her body bucked, needing more than this. Needing everything. “Keris …”

In answer, he curved his index finger around hers, slipping them into her depths. Using her fingertip to stroke her core until their hands were slick. “Look at what you’ve done to yourself,” he murmured, withdrawing her finger and moving it to her clit, a sob of pleasure tearing from her lips as he circled it.

Tension mounted inside her, her climax rising, but she fought it down. Refused to allow it to claim her until she had what she wanted. Until he was deep within her.

“Look,” he said, and she realized that she’d again asked him to fill her. Begged him, the feel of him pleasuring her with her own fingers battering at her will.

Zarrah clenched her teeth, fighting climax, fighting herself. “My own touch is familiar to me,” she murmured. “You’ll have to try harder if you wish to be victorious.”

His hands stilled, holding her fingers in place, and she squirmed against them, cursing herself for speaking.

“Something better than your own touch,” he said thoughtfully, then he drew their hands upward. Past her stomach and breasts and throat to pause over her mouth. Then her fingers parted her own lips, and Zarrah tasted herself.

Her lids opened, reflection filling her eyes. The lamp illuminated her sweat-damp skin, casting her in light and shadow, as lovely as she’d ever seen herself. Like passion and desire incarnate, her body quivering as it clung to the edge of climax, wanting to let go and fall forever.

Keris’s cheek pressed against the side of her head, his fair hair falling to mix with her midnight curls, his gaze reverent as he watched her watch herself.

“You won,” she whispered.

“And yet I serve at your pleasure.”

“You know what I want.” Just as she knew he was at the limit of his own self-control when he said nothing, only lifted her, his knees spreading hers wide as he lowered her onto his length.

A cry of pleasure tore from her lips as she watched him enter her, claim her, the sight of his cock slamming into her shattering her control. Climax rolled over her in a violent wave, tearing the breath from her chest. Stopping her heart and then making it run wild. The sensation was like starlight, driving all thought from her mind other than that she was his. Would always be his.

Slowly, Zarrah opened her eyes, seeing the fire now burning low, Daria rising for the day while Saam fell asleep in the warmth of her blankets.

A man like him uses seduction with the adeptness of a courtesan,her aunt whispered.You never had a chance.

Was it true? Had she been manipulated by something as simple as sex? Had he used it to control her?

All the things he did to make you sing made him King of Maridrina and you a traitor to your people.

A tear trickled down her nose to drip onto the ground beneath her cheek.This is why you need to banish him from thought,she told herself.He’s moved on. You are replaced, and with the ease he has done so, perhaps what was between you was not as meaningful as you thought. You are better off without him anyway, for he betrayed your confidence and proved he couldn’t be trusted.

The reasons she shouldn’t think of Keris went on and on, but rather than making her feel better, all she felt was hollow and cold.

And so very much alone.

IF IT HADbeen anyone other than Ithicanians sailing the ship, the storm would have put them at the bottom of the sea.

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