her control. His tense voice cut in, “Are you done now?”
Turning to him, Nexi shivered from the promise in his voice. His intent became all too clear. He didn’t avoid touching her because he didn’t want to. He avoided her because once he touched her he didn’t plan to stop. The tightness and almost curtness in how he spoke indicated the past minutes were a strain for him, and his patience had fled.
“Yes, we’re done,” Zia said sternly to him, but to Nexi she smiled. “Don’t stay here too long. You both need rest.”
After Zia stood, Nexi looked to her guardian, drinking in the sight of glorious masculinity. In her peripheral vision, she noticed Zia leaving the meadow and vanishing up the hill, but she couldn’t take her eyes of Kyden. “Can you stand there a minute?” She smiled, leaning back on her arms. “It’s a nice view.”
“No, I’m afraid I can’t.” He strode forward, and once he reached her, he assisted her to her feet. He brushed his hands up her neck to cup her face in his strong hands. “You said you loved me, do you remember that?”
“Of course, I do,” she whispered.
He hesitated, his eyes filled with emotion. “This is more than that you know.”
“More than what?”
“What I feel for you, Nexi, extends beyond any type of love I’ve ever known.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “Your life here is new, but this…between us…” He looked into her eyes again. “This is new to me.”
She smiled, teary-eyed. “So, you kinda love me, too, huh?”
“Last night, Álainn…with Lazarus…” His fingers tightened around her face. “I would give all that I am to protect you.” His eyebrow arched, as his head dipped toward hers. “Love cannot possibly describe what this is between us…it’s more.”
Not giving her the chance to say she understood, that she went to her old home not only to inflict justice on the vampire, but because her life without Kyden in it was unthinkable, he sealed his mouth over hers.
Running his hands along her body, he then unclipped her kilt, letting it fall to the ground. After which, and through kisses that became more heated with each one, he removed her bra, followed by her shorts.
A moment of worry hit, about being naked in the meadow, but her concern instantly settled as the sun warmed her back, reminding her that everyone would be fast asleep. Besides, Zia had placed her willow in the far corner of the meadow, away from watchful eyes.
Releasing her mouth, Kyden stepped back, and Nexi watched him remove his gear. First, his scabbard with sword dropped to the grass below. Then his kilt followed and when he hooked his fingers into his shorts, her breath caught in her throat.
Once again, and as it seemed each time she saw him naked, she couldn’t breathe as she took in all of him. Kyden was definitely all male—every last hard bit of him. She scanned over every line of his spectacular physique and with that sexy arch of his mouth, he lowered his hand. With slow sensual movements, he stroked himself, calling her to him—teasing her with his touch.
Nexi didn’t need the invitation.
She closed the distance between them, sank to her knees and grasped his thick erection. As she took him deep into her mouth, he hissed through his teeth, and she set a slow rhythm of fluid strokes.
He stared down at her with fire flickering in his gaze, and he ran his fingers along her jawline. “Yes, Álainn, that’s it.” Tossing his head back, he grunted, “Just like that.”
With each play of her mouth and stroke of her hand, his breath deepened. He tangled his fingers in her hair to guide her in a gentle request that she take him deeper and faster, until she was lost in the pleasure she offered.
When her strokes quickened and her head bobbed faster, his body tensed and muscles quivered. He gave a thunderous gasp as he stepped back, pulling his erection from between her lips. His smoldering gaze burned wicked when he leaned down, wrapped his hands around her face and took her mouth furiously—tasting every part of hers while they worked their tongues in a heated embrace.
Without missing a beat, he lifted her to him and slid his hands down her body, sending warm currents of need simmering low in her belly. He grasped her breasts and her nipples puckered, awakening to his answering thumbs. As they hardened with a desperate plea, he tore from