Page 77 of The Fury She Holds
“What? No, I’m not. It’s in the air.”
“No, it’s definitely you. Look.” He gently grabbed her arm from around his neck, and indeed, it glowed a glorious shade of deep orange.
She pulled her arm out of his grasp and stared at it in shock. “What in all hells—?” She scooted out from under him and sat up. The light shone through her shirt and trousers as well.
Faron pushed himself off her. “That’s never happened before?”
She shook her head, trying to remember a time she’d ever been able to release light without flame or heat before. When the light faded from her skin, she warily met his gaze.
She should have known the playful noble would handle it without issue. When his knowing smile turned his concern to satisfaction, it was all she could do to stop from groaning.
“So, is that how I make you feel?” He leaned back on an elbow, all but inviting Tal back into his embrace.
“It doesn’t bother you?” Tal didn’t know if she cared either way. It certainly concerned her.
He nodded emphatically. “Oh yes. In fact, it bothers me so much, I think we should do it again to see how bothered I am.”
“Oh no!” She feigned concern. “I would hate to cause you any distress. We should avoid the bothersome behavior at all costs.”
“No, no. Please. I beg you. Bother away.” He reached for her, which only made her laugh and pull against him when he caught her arm. He kissed the top of her wrist. “My lady.” When she didn’t pull away, he kissed halfway up her forearm, letting his lips brush her skin as he worked his way up, regarding her with hooded eyes. When he reached her bare shoulder, Tal bit her lip against the goosebumps that traveled along her skin. With his free hand, he reached up and pushed the hair away fromher neck. He placed a kiss below the corner of her jaw, and Tal exhaled a nervous laugh. She closed her eyes.
Faron kissed along her jaw until he reached the edge of her lips. He paused, waiting for her to take the final step. She could feel him grinning against her skin, and she mirrored the expression. With a deep breath and an exhale, she turned ever so slightly, and their lips met. Instantly, it hit like a shock to her system. Her breath hitched in her throat. Kissing him felt like the world dropped away, and only heat stood between them. Her fury quieted within her, almost as if it had finally found peace, something she had never experienced.
Tal had never been one to enjoy kissing, but the way she felt then, she could have spent forever in this man’s embrace. She needed to. The space between them ached with a desperate hunger. She gripped his shirt in both hands and pulled him on top of her. After weeks of intense glances and carefully planned caresses, Tal had grown tired of waiting, tired of waking up from dreams she would much rather dive back into. Heat filled her at the memory of all the things her unconscious mind had already done to him. Tonight, Tal would make at least one of those fantasies a reality.
She kissed Faron with urgency, and he responded in kind. But as much as Tal demanded more from him, she could tell he held himself back. Just as he had all these past few weeks, Faron let Tal take the lead. Perhaps their power imbalance forced his restraint. According to societal standards, it certainly wasn’t proper for them to be alone in a room together, much less kissing.
However, those few weeks they’d spent ignoring their attraction let Faron observe more about Tal than she would have freely revealed. He knew she liked to be in control, and he was all too happy to surrender it to her. When Tal realized, it sent her head spinning. Never had she met a man who allowed her tobe herself so completely, and she certainly didn’t expect to meet such a man with his social status. She’d found someone who perfectly complemented her.
She pressed against Faron, and he responded with a maddeningly satisfying groan. He stopped kissing her and fisted his hand against the ground, holding himself over her. His head dropped slightly. “Hells. You’re treading on dangerous ground.”
Tal smirked at him. “I’m not treading on anything. I’m on my back.”
Faron chuckled darkly and shook his head. “If kissing you always escalates like this, I’m afraid I won’t have enough restraint for much longer.”
“I’d like to see you with a little less restraint.”
His eyes burned into her, and his nostrils flared. Tal tested his resolve. “Do not ask for things you aren’t truly ready for,” he growled.
“I’m not asking.” She lifted her chin up, so her lips were a hair’s width from touching his. “I’m demanding.” Tal narrowed her eyes in a challenge and waited for Faron’s answer. But she was caught off guard when, instead of meeting her lips, he pulled away.
Faron sighed heavily and rolled off her. He lay on his back on the floor, seemingly struggling over something. Tal sat up on her elbows and watched him. Frustration built within her over his sudden change in behavior. She wanted to accuse him of taunting her these past few weeks and then backing down when she took action. She watched Faron’s chest heave, unable to gather her thoughts.
“We have an audience.”
Tal’s attention snapped to the opening where Egan, to his credit, looked away, blushing. “How long have you been standing there?” she asked with a harsher tone than she intended.
Egan opened his mouth to answer, but didn’t say anything.
Tal crossed her arms over her chest, fists clenched. “You knew?” she snapped at Faron.
“I tried to warn you.” Faron shrugged at the ceiling.
“What part of all that was a warning?!”
He smirked to himself. “The part where I didn’t undress you.”
Egan coughed from his position, and Tal scoffed. “Tal, the gals had some information for me.”
