Page 30 of Caught in the Devil’s Hand

“Now then,” he said roughly. He was breathing hard, and that flicker of heat in his eyes had grown warmer. “Any other words you wish to know the definitions of?”

“Other…?” Caught off guard, she had to think for a second. “I think it was…cock?” She wasn’t sure if she had remembered the word right, but he was quick to grin in response.

“Gods, Shumei, you are a delight.” He took her hand from his shoulder and pulled her close, turning her toward him. When he placed her fingers over the bulge in his pants, she stiffened in shock and pleasure. The latter came from Vallen. Well, most of it. “This is a cock,” he said gruffly. “My cock.”

His face was mere inches away, his eyes closed in bliss. He tightened his grip on her hand, making her squeeze him harder. It felt so good they both grunted in response.

“Say you want me,” he groaned. “Say it.”

“I—” She did want him, and he knew it, but pride and shyness choked her.

He stared hard at her, almost glowering. “You’ve craved me all week, especially late at night. Every night. Admit it.”

“Y-Yes,” she said, needier than she’d meant to sound. Oh dueling gods, the binding wasn’t as limited as she’d thought.

“Then say it.”

“I want you.”

She’d hardly gotten the words out before his mouth was on hers, demanding, stroking, delving deep. She arched and pressed her breasts against his hard chest. It was the only way she could be closer to him, trapped as her arms were between them. He let go of her hand, but she kept it cupped over his groin while he worked on loosening the knot holding her belt together. He was so adept at it that he was able to tug blindly, still kissing her, and get the job done. Molding her fingers around the shaft trapped under his clothes, she rubbed cautiously and was rewarded with a flare of pleasure that made him sigh roughly against her lips.

Her belt went slack. Then, in a slick whip of sound, it disappeared. He rolled her onto her back again and rose above her. She licked her wet, swollen lips. Panting, he roughly pushed open her dress and paused to regard her naked form only about as long as it took to swallow with hunger. She hadn’t imagined his earlier description of foreplay quite so eager and rushed, but she had no complaints about this version. She was as desperate for more as he was.

“Beautiful,” he groaned, straddling her thighs. She eyed the lines of his chest and shoulders underneath his shirt and realized she had never seen more of him than his cock.

“I…” she began, hesitant to say anything. Accepting his touch, even eagerly, was one thing. Taking initiative was another. Was asking for more going too far?

He braced himself on his elbows and nuzzled her chin higher. “What is it?” he whispered, covering her neck in soft kisses. Shivering, she grasped his shoulders.

“I want to see you too,” she breathed, barely loud enough for him to hear. A heady pulse of satisfaction swept through her. She’d evidently delighted him.

“Your wish is my command.” He straightened, breaking her grasp on his shoulders, and snatched at his jacket ties with efficiency. Then, with deliberate care, he swept aside the folds of his clothes, revealing his smooth, sculpted chest. His pecs were high and tight, his abdomen ridged with toned muscle. She wanted to touch him, and though she was sure he wouldn’t mind, she refrained. Feeling desire and acting on it, those were different things, right?

He tugged on his sleeves behind his back and rolled his massive shoulders as he pulled his jacket off. His arms were long and well shaped. She traced with her eyes the healthy veins that fed his strength. He could carry his own horse, she was certain, and yet he touched her so gently, held her so ardently. Soon, he’d be sliding that warrior’s body against her. She clenched her thighs in impatience. He inhaled deeply, chest swelling. Her heart flipped as he slowly leaned over her again.

“You’re pleased, I can tell. That gladdens me.” He touched his lips to her collarbone and kissed his way down to her breasts. He didn’t linger long, as impatient as he had described earlier, and quickly moved on, pausing only long enough to dip his warm, wet tongue into the hollow of her navel. She squirmed at the ticklish sensation and heard a soft laugh.

He settled between her legs, and she looked down at him from her elevated position. He pressed her thighs apart, opening her to his close inspection. Her face became so warm so fast that she was convinced she was as bright as a candle. Then he licked his lips. Wait, he was really going to put his mouth—

“Don’t stare,” she begged, cupping her hands over her red cheeks. He lowered his head and breathed her in. “Oh, gods!”

“You’re like a flower here,” he said, low and needy. “Beautiful pink-and-red folds. Your scent makes my mouth water.” As if invoked by magic, her sex pulsed and tingled, ready to bloom.

“Vallen,” she keened. His head snapped up, and he looked at her with such desire that she couldn’t help a whispered oh. The flicker of heat she’d seen earlier was now a bright flame, one that almost overpowered the cold emptiness of his blue eyes. Another pulse of their heady magic filled her, and she restlessly rubbed her bare calves against his flanks.

“Say it again.” He slid his warm hands over her hips, gaze fixed upon her face. She hadn’t meant to call his name but it had slipped out. Why was hearing it so important to him? Because she avoided using it? “Shumei, please.”

Or maybe he liked knowing just how little composure she had left.

She curled her hand in front of her mouth and hid behind it as she gave him what he wanted. “Vallen,” she groaned.

His eyes glazed. His lids drooped shut. Then he plunged his face between her legs and nuzzled into her flesh. Something hot and wet pulsed against her.

Crying out, she slammed her hands onto the thick rug and pressed her head into the pile of pillows beneath her. Instinctually, she drew her legs back, boots scraping the rug. With more room, he was able to slip his fingers between them and spread her lips like the petals of a flower. His hot breath felt amazing. Then he found her clit with his tongue—

She jerked in reaction. So did he, shoulders jumping under her thighs.

“V-Vallen,” she gasped. She lifted her hips, seeking more.