Page 51 of Raven's Rise
She paused, her hands raised behind her head, her fingers at the clasp of the chain. “Why should I?”
“They suit you.”
“Even naked?”
“Especially naked. I won’t beg for anything else tonight. I swear it.”
She considered his words, unaware that the pose she was holding, with her arms raised and her breasts thrust outward, with the precious stones accenting her body, was challenging Rafe’s ability to hold still. She unconsciously let her fingers trace the chain downward and then petted the largest jewel in the center of the necklace, feeling the smooth, cool moonstone under the tips of her fingers. “I’ll keep them on. Youronlyrequest,” she reminded him.
“I’ll remember.” He half-clenched his hands, and in a moment of intuition, she knew he ached to touch her, and only the lack of permission kept him from doing so already. So Angelet touched herself, cupping her breasts lightly with her hands, lifting them up a little.
The strangled gasp he gave told her that her guess was right. She looked at him from under her eyelashes, watching his reaction to her moves.
His gaze was riveted to her, and every time she shifted or moved her hands, his eyes followed.
Finally, he said, “You are planning on inviting me to join you at some point, yes?”
“Perhaps,” she said, loving the rush of power she felt.
“Then for God’s sake, tell me what to do.”
She paused. Here was the issue. Despite her long-ago marriage, Angelet lacked the experience to know exactly what to ask for. Her memories of nights with her husband had grown hazy. She remembered that he had tried to please her, but not how he’d done so.
Rafe must have sensed her indecision, because he said in a low voice, “I want to taste you. Please. However you like.”
She looked Rafe over, all six feet of him. “Kneel down,” she instructed.
He was on his knees instantly, and Angelet stepped up to him, now understanding exactly why some nobles always insisted on being seated higher than those they interacted with. She looked down at him and smiled. “This is better. You look a little less arrogant this way.”
“A little,” he agreed. His head came to just below her breasts. He moved his arms up, preparing to embrace her.
“No,” she told him shortly. “Hold still.”
He stopped, and looked up at her expectantly. Angelet put her hands on his shoulders, then moved her hands to the back of his head, tipping it so he had to look directly at her belly. “You may not use your hands.”
He froze. “Then how would you have me touch you?”
“You said you wanted to taste me. Use your mouth.”
He leaned in to obey her.
At the touch of his tongue on her skin, Angelet felt a fire start inside her body.
Rafe kissed and licked his way across her flesh, and it seemed he really intended to cover every inch of her that he could reach in his position. He knelt so far as to kiss the tops of her feet, then worked his way up her legs, easing her knees apart, and then going until he reached her inner thigh. He continued, without any hesitation, his tongue invading places on her body she would never dream of ordering a man to touch.
But he touched her there without even asking, and before she could get over the shock of what he was doing, her body reacted, revealing just how effective his touch was.
Her knees buckled, and just as she wobbled on her feet, his hands clasped her hips, steadying her. She gasped out loud, and he froze.
“You might have fallen,” he said quickly. He released her, probably wondering if she would declare an end to the whole endeavor.
She put her hands on his shoulders, restoring her balance. “How did you know I would like that?”
He glanced up at her, his lips curving into an easy smile. “You’re a woman. I know women.”
“Stand up,” she murmured.
He did instantly, so he once again towered over her.
