Page 14 of Reap the Night
Oh?And what is this plan?
He cupped my shoulders and turned me to face him.To make you fall in love with me.
My pulse skipped then beat hard against my throat.I can’t be the woman you need, Kaster. I can’t?—
He silenced my protests and doubts with the warm pressure of his lips, sipping on my gasp and cradling my head with one hand to hold me to him as he tasted me.
I melted, clinging to his shoulders, savoring the tart wine that lingered on his tongue. We kissed for long seconds, deeper and with growing passion, our bodies meeting and brushing and rubbing, begging us to take this further, and God, I wanted to. I wanted to abandon caution and thought and all the chains that held me back from pure pleasure, but what we wanted wasn’t always what we needed, and what Ineededto do was pull away.
I should…
Just one moment.
He broke the kiss with a sigh, his chest rumbling with regret.I’ve wanted to do that for the longest time.He rested his forehead on mine, breathing fast and ragged. I’ve wanted to do so much more. To taste you. To devour every inch of your body.
Heat crawled up my chest and hugged my neck. “Kaster…” My tone was a breathless whisper.
I know, I know that you have boundaries. The Order has rules. I understand that, and I will never coerce you to break those rules, but we can have this…He kissed the corner of my mouth and ran his hand down my side in a featherlight caress that left me aching for more.We can have pleasure without breaking your vow of chastity.
I froze.What?
He pulled back.Your vow to the Order. I’m assuming you have to take a vow of chastity. Thatiswhy you have the boundaries, correct?
He didn’t know the full truth. That it was more than a vow, more than a reprimand that would ensue if I broke it. He didn’t know that sex would strip me of my blessed mark and my ability to wield a blessed sword, forever severing my connection to the white wings to render me adrift. He was simply making logical assumptions, something that I now wondered if Ordell had made also.
I exhaled, masking my relief with a smile.You assume correctly. But I can’t take that risk, especially with someone that I…that I want so much.
He cupped my face, staring deep into my eyes.What if I vow to be the compass? To be the anchor that holds you back if you find yourself caught in a tide?
I closed my eyes.It would be too much to expect of anyone.
He kissed my lips softly then released me.Then let’s end the evening with dessert. I have chocolate cake.
His shift in topic tore a surprised laugh from me, and I squashed the stab of disappointment that he hadn’t pushed harder.
Chocolate cake sounds wonderful.
We ate on the balcony, enjoying the view of New Town from our eight-story height. All its twinkling lights winked at us. It was a cold night, but Kaster loaned me a sweater, and with the balcony door open to let out some heat, I barely felt the chill.
We usually had an evening herbal tea out here, and when I stayed over, I took my coffee out here while Kaster slept. I’d claimed the seat I was in as mine and even bought a special cushion for it.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love it here.
We’d just finished up when a huge Raven landed on the balcony beside me.
I dropped my fork with a curse. Then checked its foot for a message. Not all Ravens were messengers, and I’d seen plenty the past two weeks just perched on posts or sills.
This one carried a pellet.
Kaster approached it and unclipped the message tied to its ankle. He read it with a frown then passed it to me.
“For me?”
He nodded.Ezekiel.
Ezekiel knew where I was? Which meant he’d been keeping tabs on me. I hated the flicker of warmth that thought evoked.
I’ll clear the plates,Kaster said.
