Page 82 of Destiny Redeemed
His eyes darkened. “Not lately.” He set the sword aside. “Especially not around you.”
My heart stuttered in my chest. “I tend to have that effect on people. Usually it’s because they want to strangle me.”
A smile tugged at his lips. “That’s not exactly what I want to do.”
“No?” I raised an eyebrow, emboldened by the intensity in his gaze. “What do you want to do, then?”
“I think I made that rather clear in the hallway.” His voice dropped lower, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Perhaps I need further clarification.” Where was this boldness coming from? Maybe I was too tired of worrying about every damned thing.
I wanted to feel.I want to let go. For tonight.
Anderic’s hand reached across the table, his fingertips brushing mine. “I want to know you, Lya. The real you—not the masks you wear so skillfully.”
“You might not like what you find,” I whispered, but didn’t pull away as his fingers intertwined with mine.
“Try me.”
He stood, pulling me gently to my feet and around the table until we stood face-to-face. His hand traced up my arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake, before coming to rest against my cheek.
“I’ve wanted to do this again since the moment I walked away,” he murmured, his thumb tracing my lower lip.
I leaned into his touch. “So why did you walk away?”
“Because I wasn’t sure if you wanted this.” His eyes searched mine. “Do you?”
In answer, I rose on my tiptoes, pressing my lips to his. This kiss was different—slower, deeper, a conversation without words. His arms encircled my waist, drawing me against him as my hands slid up his chest to tangle in his golden curls. He tasted like something intoxicating and full of possibility, his mouth moving against mine with such exquisite tenderness that I felt myself melting from the inside out.
When we finally broke apart, both breathless, Anderic rested his forehead against mine.
“Tell me to stop,” he whispered, “and I will.”
“Don’t you dare,” I breathed back.
Anderic’s lips crashed against mine once more as his hands roamed my body, igniting sparks wherever they touched. I arched into him, desperate for more contact. My fingers fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, needing to feel his skin beneath my palms.
He broke the kiss, his eyes dark with desire. “Are you sure about this, Lya?”
“More sure than I’ve ever been about anything,” I breathed, tugging his shirt open.
That was all the encouragement he needed. In one fluid motion, Anderic lifted me, my legs wrapping instinctively around his waist.
“Bedroom,” I gasped between kisses. “Now.”
He didn’t need to be told twice. His mouth never left mine as he carried me up the stairs, my back hitting the wall with a soft thud when we reached the landing.
“Which room?” He murmured against my neck, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin there.
“Yours,” I breathed, my fingers tangling in his golden curls. “Definitely yours.”
The door slammed shut behind us, and we stumbled through it— a tangle of limbs and half-shed clothing. Anderic’s shirt hit the floor first, revealing the chiseled planes of his chest. I ran my hands over his skin, marveling at the way his muscles rippled beneath my touch.
“Your turn,” he growled, and suddenly I was on my back, Anderic’s weight pressing me into the mattress. His mouth trailed hot kisses down my neck as his hands worked at the laces of my nightgown. With agonizing slowness, he undid each one, his knuckles brushing against my skin as he worked. When the last lace came undone, he stepped back, drinking in the sight of me.
I gasped as cool air hit my skin, the fabric pooling around my waist. Anderic’s eyes raked over my exposed chest, a low growl escaping his throat.
“Gods, you’re beautiful,” he murmured, his calloused palms cupping my breasts as his thumbs brushed over my hardened nipples. I gasped at the sensation, arching into his touch. Before I could take a breath, he lowered his head to capture a nipple between his lips.
