Page 25 of Untaming Lady Violet
Slowly, Violet nodded her head.
“A kiss would prove less fatal,” she said.
“That all depends on you, sweetheart. I’ve the feeling you could do a great deal of damage, no matter the weapon you choose.”
The golden flecks in Tristan’s eyes glinted with something dangerous, calling to a piece of Violet’s soul buried deep beneath countless layers of respectability and demure behavior.
“Ask me to kiss you, Violet.”
“What?” She pretended she’d not heard him correctly. God, anyone could walk outside into the courtyard and find them against the wall, deep in the shadows. It would be ruinous, even if they were doing nothing more than sharing a conversation.
Tristan’s eyes narrowed. “You heard me. Ask me, kitten. And know when you do, I will take from you without hesitation. Without mercy. With complete and utter ruthlessness. As I swore I would.”
Violet was sure her hunger for him shone like a beacon. Sweat beaded in the valley between her breasts despite the coolness of the spring morning. The purr of the kitten in her arms faded away, and her heartbeat pounded like a drum in her ears. Her eyes locked with his until it seemed she was drowning in vats of rich, melted chocolate. So sinful, so deep, and so thick she would never escape.
“I-I, Tristan—” This kiss would ruin her forever. She would never forget it. Never forget him.
She couldn’t do it for that reason.
And yet, shemustdo it.
“Violet.” Tristan’s tone remained calm and smooth, his finger never leaving its place beneath her chin, keeping it tilted so there was no choice but to stare into his eyes. “Ask me.”
And Violet surrendered, toppling like a Saxon fortress overtaken by bloodthirsty Vikings.
“Please,” she choked out. “Kiss me. Be the first. Show me what your lips feel like on mine.…”
Tristan’s eyes glowed like that of a panther finally snagging its prey.
Violet sagged against the wall, suddenly alarmed. “The way you are looking at me right now…”
He stepped even closer, and there was no mistaking the starved light in his gaze. “How is that, Violet? How am I looking at you?”
“Feral. Hungry.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Like you… you might swallow me whole.”
“I am. Hungry, that is. And Iwilldevour you if given the chance.”
When he leaned down, Violet held her breath, certain he would attack her mouth, take her so roughly that the very air would be stolen from her lungs. A whimper escaped her, but she couldn’t say if it was a sound borne of eagerness or apprehension.
Tristan smiled slightly but instead of claiming with savageness, his lips brushed across hers.
Violet let his gentleness soak in. His lips were so soft. Pillow-like, but insistent at the same time. Firm. Inescapable.
Tristan kissed her again, letting her feel his lips across the full surface of her own before he exerted more pressure.
Beneath the tenderness, Violet sensed his restraint. He was holding back. For her.
She moaned in her throat with the realization, parted her lips in invitation, and that was what Tristan seemed to be waiting for.
Growling in triumph, his tongue traced the seam of her lips, parting them so he could dip inside. Violet gasped in shocked delight as he kissed her with violent sweetness. Over and over, his tongue swept through her mouth, delving and retreating in languid, yet fevered exploration as if he possessed all the time in the world.
He tasted like mint, and the only part of her body he touched other than her mouth was the finger which still lifted her chin. It was all he needed to control her.
Violet trembled. She was lightheaded, knees buckling, and while gripping Tristan’s coat sleeve with her free hand, a low rumbling sound built around them. It slowly escalated into a screeching howl that sounded otherworldly.
Tristan tore his mouth away, swearing beneath his breath.
“Goddamn little beast…”
