Page 60 of Heart of Iron
His words took her breath.
“That’s what they promised you?”A disaster.An absolute disaster.“They promised you freedom?”
“Me and every verwulfen in the Empire.”
She leaned back against the wall, hand to her chest.Will was more involved in this than she’d expected.By moving against him, working against him, she was threatening to destroy his chances of freedom.
She couldn’t do it.
But what about Charlie?Her hand dropped to her side.What was she going to do?Heat ached behind her eyes.
“Lena?”
Will waited for a reply.She couldn’t think quickly enough.“The jarl’s daughter seemed to take a liking to you,” she said automatically, as if her heart didn’t feel the blow.“If you charmed her—” She couldn’t say anymore.The words shriveled in her mouth.
“I don’t know nothin’ ’bout charm.”
Lena laughed, a miserable little sound.She had to get out of here.The walls felt like they were closing in on her.“That’s the truth.”
The elevation chamber came to a shuddering halt and she spun around.The bell rang and the doors started to open.Lena stepped through them as soon as they were wide enough to accommodate her.
One more flight of stairs to the ground entrance.She gathered her pink skirts and started dashing down them, but Will leaped in front of her, a frown on his face.“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”She tried to push past, but he blocked her way.Standing two steps below her put his face on a level with hers.“Will, I’m tired.I want to go home.This is not—”
“Your scent changed.”He took a step up, his thighs pressing against her skirts.“As soon as I told you what they’d promised.”
Did guilt have its own scent?She pressed her fingertips against his chest.Whether to hold him at bay or draw him closer, she didn’t know.The superfine of his coat was soft beneath her fingers.
“It changed again,” he admitted, little sparks of molten copper flaring in his irises.“When you mentioned Lady Astrid.”His head lowered, gaze dropping to her mouth.“Just as it’s changed now.”
Lena’s heart started beating faster.Every emotion, every hope, dream, and despair she thought she’d kept hidden from him was betrayed by her scent.She met his eyes and couldn’t read the look in them.Hot amber.Eyes that she could drown in if he let her.The color of them softened, melted, as he leaned closer.
His intentions stole her breath.He meant to kiss her.In the foyer of the Ivory Tower, in front of anyone who walked down the stairs.Exhilaration leaped through every nerve in her body.
“Don’t you dare,” she whispered.
He paused, his mouth an inch from hers.“I never understand you.”His eyes darkened with heat.“Yes or no, Lena?”
Warm breath against her lips.Her hand softened on his chest.She knew the answer before her traitorous mouth could say the words.And so did he.
Will captured the yes on her lips, his hands cupping her face and tilting it up to him.The first taste of him was intoxicating.Lena clutched his lapels and rose on her toes.
The world around them faded.All she could feel was the heat of his hard body, pressed firmly against hers, and the taste of his mouth, of champagne and lemon tarts.Darting her tongue against his, she swallowed his soft moan.As if sensing permission, his own tongue met hers and he devoured her, all hot, male possession.
Will’s hand splayed over her bottom and he wrenched her against him.Every burning inch.She could feel the layers of fabric bunching between them, and the hint of his shaft, pressed hard against her hips.Wanting more, needing more, she slid her hands into his hair, abandoning herself to the taste of his mouth.There was no skill involved, no finesse, none of the careful kisses she’d flirted with in the Echelon.Nothing but hunger and the barely contained raw fury she could sense beneath his skin.
Taking him to bed would never be tame.Never safe.And she wanted it more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life.
“Take me home,” she whispered, before she dared think about it.“Your home.”
Will lifted his head, an iron stillness running through his body.Hot little sparks of copper burned in his gaze and she knew instantly she’d said the wrong thing.
She kissed him again, biting at his bottom lip, but he didn’t rise to meet her.Cupping her face in both hands, Will drew back, breathing hard, his forehead pressed to hers.
“Lena.”A word full of hunger and denied need.“I can’t.We can’t.”
She slid her hands down his chest, hovering over his abdomen.“Yes, we can.Nobody would know.”A shiver ran through her.“I want you, Will.I need you.Need this.It’s not a game to me.”The last few words were a whisper.
