Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,27
out. At first, I thought it was because I looked like his friend, then I supposed it was because of the connection I felt between us. I’ve been trying to get to know him, and all this time he knew me. “Is that why you call me Liv? Was that my real name?” The questions fall from my mouth in a rush.
“Clarissa,” Tor murmurs as he pushes to his feet, releasing my hands and reaching out to cup my face, guiding me so I’m looking up at him. My mind is in turmoil. Part of me, the human part, wants to push and ask more questions. Realistically, I know there’s nothing new that I’ll learn tonight so there’s no point in pushing it, but that’s not an attribute humans are good at—letting go of something. However, my fae side that seems to have been awoken from the ceremony today is trying to take control and sizzling in my veins, demanding that we take what is ours, starting with Tor.
As Tor’s thumb strokes my cheek and he wraps his other arm around me, my thoughts are pulled from my dilemma and fixate on how close we are. “Let’s take things one at a time,” he suggests, and I nod my head in agreement, distracted by the feel of his hand on my lower back. “We will get your memories back, I promise.” My chest is pressed against his, and the low rumble of his voice travels through me, sending a wave of desire straight to my core. He must sense the change in me as he chuckles and a satisfied grin spreads across his face. “For now…I’ve been holding myself back for weeks. Every time I see you, I’m as hard as a rock. Let me show you how we do it in the mountains.”
Without further ado, he crouches, wraps his arms around my buttocks, and lifts me into the air. I automatically wrap my legs around his waist, too far gone in my desire to cry out in surprise, but as I tighten my grip around him, I growl in pleasure when I feel the evidence of his need for me. I grind my hips against him, a feral grin spreading across my face at his hiss of surprise. With me clinging to him, he strides across the tent and throws me onto the bed.
Staring down at me, he slowly reaches up and undoes the clasp on his cloak before placing it on the chair beside him. Next, he starts leisurely unfastening the remaining buttons on his shirt and sluggishly removing it. Each item of clothing he removes has me wanting him more. I need to feel every inch of his tattooed skin under my fingers. His shirt is off, leaving only his leggings, and I can see his erection pressing tightly against them, begging for freedom. A wicked smile spreads across his face as he crosses his arms over his chest.
“You’re wearing entirely too much clothing.”
A thrill goes through me as I realise he wants to watch me strip from my clothes like he just did, and although I’ve never done anything like that before, if he finds it half as sexy as I found watching him undress, then it’s worth it. Sitting up, I start to undo the clasp of the cloak, but I fumble with it, unused to the fastenings. My cheeks redden, but before I can get embarrassed, Tor kneels at my feet.
“Let me help you.” His hands brush over the top of mine, easily removing my new tribal clasp, placing it on the chair, and pushing the cloak off my shoulders. Leaning forward, he brushes his lips against my ear. “Mate,” he whispers, his fingers sliding down to my chest, grabbing the fabric of my dress in his hands, and with one almighty pull, he rips down the front of the garment. Gasping, I look at the ruined attire that now sits in a puddle of fabric around me. “Much better.”
My eyes flick up to meet his, and the look of pure male pride and lust makes me flush with excitement. The way he’s regarding me makes me feel like a goddess, like I deserve the name people whisper as I pass them. Beloved.
Sliding my arms from the now useless sleeves of my dress, I shift onto my knees and push my leggings down, aware of Tor’s eyes following my every move. I sit back on the bed, stretching out my legs, and he helps