want any doubt at the end of the night. Fei Long couldn’t hide behind his honour any longer. Let him seduce her and cast her aside—but she would have him make that choice rather than remain in denial of what they had between them.
His gaze was intent upon her. ‘This isn’t ruin, Yan.’ He loosened his sash and peeled away the outer layer of his robe. In a few efficient movements, he opened his tunic and cast it aside as well, revealing the hardened planes of his chest. ‘But I will take everything.’
He lowered himself beside her and reached for the pins in her hair. Her fingers brushed over his as she helped him. Then he slipped the silk from her shoulders, freeing her from the layers that hid her from him. Cool air washed over her skin as her arms were bared. He ran his mouth reverently over all that he had uncovered, kissing along the curve of her shoulder, touching his lips to her collarbone.
They sat facing each other, exploring. She touched him with hesitant fingers and ran her hands over the dense muscle of his arms. He sucked in a breath as she explored him, sliding down low over his abdomen. He was intensely beautiful. So strong. A faint, mottled shadow remained low on his left side.
‘Are you well enough for…’ She struggled for words. He hadn’t taught her any suitable ones. ‘For this?’
He regarded her incredulously and then laughed. The short, sharp bark of it cut through their gentle explorations. Fei Long untied the ribbons that held the embroidered swatch of cloth over her breasts. The undergarment fell away, shamelessly exposing her to his gaze.
Without warning, Fei Long bent and took her breast into his mouth, pushing her down onto the bed as he sucked with gentle insistence. She made a startled sound and her back arched. A new sort of pleasure took her. A dangerous sort, more unbidden and torturous than what he’d shown her in the study. His mouth was wet on her, and so hot. His tongue found her nipple and he circled it while her insides curled and clenched and she didn’t know whether to free herself or hold on to him and never let go.
The moment the sensation overwhelmed her, he released the first breast to tease the other, making her body swell and tighten at once. The rapture of it lifted her hips into him. Fei Long groaned and pressed himself to her, fitting himself into the juncture of her thighs. She wasn’t alone in this torment. Fei Long was there with her. They struggled together. The rigid outline of his erection pushed hard against her and she worked her hand between the crush of their bodies. Swallowing her nervousness, she eased her hand past the waist of his trousers and plunged downwards.
Fei Long tensed at her first touch. She explored the smooth hardness of him, so hot beneath the skin. She never imagined it being so. With a low sound in his throat, Fei Long closed his eyes and pressed his face into the crook of her neck. He ground himself mindlessly against her, filling her hand.
Then he pulled away and her hand slipped free. There was no trace of tenderness in him as he stood. His expression was heated steel as he removed his trousers. He untied his hair as well and for a moment stood naked over her.
She took him in, all of him. Her mouth was painfully dry and even swallowing didn’t banish the knot in her throat. This was what she had wanted to know—the sight of Fei Long when there were no more boundaries between them. She took the vision deep into herself. It would always be there, no matter what the morning brought.
He moved with swift purpose, returning to the bed and lowering himself. Thick black hair framed his face. She only had time to anchor her fingers into it before he was parting her legs. In the next moment, he used his hands to position himself against her. One careful push and he entered her slowly, taking away all thought and speech and breath. He thrust again, deeper and fuller. His body breached hers with only a moment of pain and soon he was gliding into her.
Her body accepted him, recognising the sensations that had been unknown yet eagerly awaited. She was slick from being pleasured so thoroughly, but it wasn’t complete until now. She didn’t realise it until the plunge of