Page 147 of Crown of Briars
“You are so close,” he whispered. His hands spread me even wider, and he dragged his tongue along my inner walls, making me scream. My thighs clamped around him as I rode his tongue, urging him onward, demanding for release.
“Please, please,” I choked out. “Please.”
I didn’t even know what I was begging for. All I knew was I hadneverfelt anything like this before. My insides were wound up tight, ready to burst. Pressure mounted, climbing up my chest and knotting in my throat.
Varius pressed his thumb against my center, his claw bringing a twinge of pain without drawing blood.
It sent me over the edge. My body thrashed violently against him, my skin on fire and my blood roaring. Something inside me shattered, and I no longer knew who I was or why I was here. All I knew was the monumental tidal wave that crashed over me, carrying me away.
When my body settled, I was panting and sweaty, but I wasn’t finished. Not even close.
“I want to see it,” I said.
Varius stood and met my gaze, his lips slick with my moisture. “See what?”
My eyes dipped to his trousers, then back up. “I want to see it,” I said, enunciating each word.
His eyebrows lifted. “Very well.”
He tugged his tunic out of his trousers and pushed the sleeves down his arms. Then, he unfastened his buckle and let his trousers and tunic drop to his ankles.
My throat went bone dry at the sight of him. Holy Stones, he was magnificent.
Andhuge.
I licked my lips, letting my gaze roam over every glorious inch of him. That burgundy skin, those firm and muscular legs, the hard planes of his chest, his biceps and forearms.
My eyes kept returning to his arousal that twitched as if it sensed my stare. It was so thick and, just as he told me, covered in ridges and bumps.
“You said it’s… barbed?” My voice came out strained.
“Only when I release them. And I won’t. Not with you.”
I nodded. “But—But you’ve released them before?”
He was quiet for so long that I finally stopped staring and jerked my gaze upward to meet his. His expression was solemn.
“It’s more of a defense mechanism than anything,” he said softly. “To protect against unwanted advances.”
My blood chilled, and I immediately regretted asking. “I’m sorry,” I said at once.
He shook his head. “Don’t be. I want you to know everything about me, Sybelle. Even the dark and unpleasant parts.”
“There are things I want to tell you, too,” I said. I thought of Azure. He still didn’t know about her. I was grateful she’d managed to escape during the fight with Warwick, but Varius needed to know. He needed to knoweverything.
“You will,” he promised, leaning in to brush his mouth against mine. “Soon, we will bare all to each other,dannahla.”
He pressed his fingers between my thighs again, but I stopped him with a fierce kiss, biting down hard enough on his lip to draw blood.
“No.”
He hissed and jerked backward, eyes full of fire.
“It’s my turn now,” I told him.
“What willyou do with me, wife?” Varius asked.
“I want to touch it. I want to lick you just as you licked me.”
