a virgin even though technically she wasn’t. He’d never thought much about a partner’s sexual experience, preferring more of it as opposed to less, if he’d had to be honest. But knowing he’d be the first man to make love to her brought feelings of distinct pride, protectiveness—and pleasure.
With a rush of unaccustomed feeling, he buried his mouth in the warm place under her ear and inhaled her scent. He felt her stiffen, then, almost fractionally, relax, breathlessly waiting to see what he was going to do. He kissed her there, slowly pulling away. She turned her head and it was all that was needed to brush their lips together.
Hungrily, she started kissing him. After a second or two of total shock, he kissed her back. His free hand fisted in her thick hair, holding her close. She made a soft little groan, her hand closing around his upper arm as she opened her mouth fully to him.
He crushed her close, or was it she who gripped him close? It was a crazy kiss, uninhibited as hell and way too hot for two people who only moments ago had been ready to kill each other. They separated, if only to drag air into their lungs. And then they came back for more.
Finally, a breathless Keira rested her warm cheek against his. “Goddess,” she whispered. “Goddess be.”
His fingers fanned out on the side of her throat to feel her pounding pulse as he kissed his way lower. But he couldn’t go any lower than her shoulder without pulling his arm out of his socket. He remembered her magnificent breasts. He wanted to hold them, to touch them. He wanted to hear her beg for his mouth on her. “We’ve got to get these cuffs off,” he breathed.
“I know,” she breathed back, her voice thick. Her eyes were dark, her mouth wet from their kiss.
He slid his hand up and over her knee and up the long, smooth expanse of her thigh. He locked eyes with her so there was no mistake as to where he wanted to touch her next. His fingers stopped where her warm inner thigh curved. God, she was hot—on fire. His hand trembled as he fought going any farther without a green light.
To his shock, Keira’s hand came over his and lifted it, placing it exactly where he wanted to touch her. Watching her reaction, he slid his fingers between her legs. She sucked in a breath, her eyelids drooping. But her body was tight, rigid. She was nervous. He decided not to say anything to call attention to that fact. Better to see if he could distract her.
His pressed his fingers where she was so slick and hot. He was so hot for her by now, he ached. He wanted to be there where his fingers explored, deep in her body. He stroked her, his fingers slipping in and out, circling until he found the small bud he hoped would shove her nerves to the back of her mind.
She made a soft cry and rose up on her knees, but her outstretched, cuffed arm kept her close. He smiled at the look of surprise and pleasure on her face, and the way her body slowly melted. He stroked her until she pressed into his hand, then he backed off. She protested and he resumed, harder this time, withdrawing when it seemed she was about to come. “Please,” she said.
Was she begging the barbarian? The Terran? The queen of the galaxy was at his mercy.
He sank his fingers deep, moving the heel of his palm where she was most sensitive. She made a cry through clenched teeth. She arched her back and ground her hips against his hand. He felt the surge of wetness as she pulsated around his fingers still embedded deep inside her. The contractions seemed to go on for a long time until, slowly, she went limp against him.
“Goddess,” she whispered as he stroked her hair, wishing he was holding her in his arms. He’d come a step closer to truly making her his wife. Somehow, he knew that to give and not to demand was the way to her heart—and her trust. It was important to him, having that trust. The relationship wouldn’t go anywhere without it.
You want her trust when everything you are is a lie? You’re a commoner. She thinks you’re a prince.
He hated the deception, knowing he’d have to live with it for the rest of his days. Everything about