Chapter 15 #3
“Hmmmm…” she mused, placing her finger to her lips in an exaggerated pose of deep thought, though in truth the idea of being in control in this way was strangely thrilling. “What to do with such powers?…”
She gave him a look meant to approximate a sudden idea striking. “I know! I shall begin with this—”
She moved the sheet so that she might grasp the string that kept the front of his braies closed, loosening it and undoing the laces, while all the time being very careful not to make contact with any part of Damien’s body, even through the fabric.
She glanced up at him, almost losing her nerve to continue when she saw the searing look in his eyes.
The muscles of his stomach tightened with a delicious ripple as she completed the task, but still he did not speak or make any sound other than the shallow, even breaths he took.
“Let me see,” she murmured, “I believe that I should follow up that action with this—”
Her voice was husky with the desire building inside her as well, as she reached to the gaping edges of his braies and tugged them open further.
Then she deftly pulled them down over his hips, allowing his erection to spring free, so that its hard, plum-capped length bobbed with the motion.
Though she still did not touch him, she could not keep her eyes from widening at the glorious sight of him, denied her for so long, and her breath came out on an appreciative sigh.
In response, Damien’s lips curved again, this time in a self-satisfied way, and she felt a flare of irritation for having revealed so much of her thoughts. Ah, well. She knew how to shift control back into her own hands. Quite literally, in fact.
“Now, then…” she said, letting her voice drift off with her own teasing lilt, “I wonder what would happen if I did this—”
At that she brushed her open palm gently but firmly up his straining, swollen length, feeling a burst of satisfaction when he closed his eyes and sucked in his breath at the pleasure of her touch upon him.
But it wasn’t enough yet.
Resting her hand gently over the length of him, she did not move. Nay, not so much as a finger, until his eyes snapped open. Then she met his gaze and asked sweetly, “Am I doing well so far, Damien, in helping you?”
“Aye, lady.” His expression looked almost pained. “Very well—though I do not think it would be amiss if you would deign to continue your…assistance.”
If his voice had sounded strangled before, it now sounded positively choked.
Offering him a brilliant smile, she answered, “Oh. Do you mean, perhaps, that I should do this?” In saying so, she grasped his erection fully in her hand and stroked upward, repeating the motion with a sure, firm caress, and unleashing from him at last a low groan that was rife with combined agony and ecstasy. Music to her ears.
The sound, the sight, and delicious feel of him writhing in pleasure beneath her touch spurred Alissende on; she continued stroking him, loving him with her hands and murmuring soft endearments as she brought him closer and closer to the edge of completion.
“Ah, Alissende,” he gasped after several delicious minutes of that sweet torment, “be careful, lady, for I cannot hold back much longer…”
“It is all right, Damien,” she whispered. “Let go and do naught but feel.”
With wordless acceptance, he reached down, gripping her wrist as she continued to stroke him, easing him toward a powerful orgasm. Her name was on his lips, a whisper that built to a groan of pure ecstasy at the moment that he came in a shuddering release.
The sheet she held ready caught most of the pulsing flow, and after the final, pleasurable spasm had passed, Alissende kissed his brow.
They did not speak as she helped him back into his braies and saw him comfortably settled in the bed for the night; his eyes were closed, and she wondered if he had fallen asleep.
A silly smile curved her lips at that idea that in her own way, she had made him swoon—at least into slumber.
Getting up, she undressed and pulled her hair from its arrangement, combing it out, then weaving it into a long, thick plait down her back. At last she blew out the burned-down tapers and crept into bed next to him, being careful not to press against any of his tender places or injuries as she did.
And so it was that when he moved, she was startled. Even more so when he pulled her close to cradle her against the length of his body and ease her head onto his shoulder.
“Is this not uncomfortable for you, Damien?” she whispered, wondering that the soreness he must surely be feeling from his wounds did not bring him to sudden and painful awareness.
“Nay,” he murmured sleepily. “I am a swift healer, you know. And with your help—in more than one way this night,” he murmured, and she could hear his smile, though she could not see it in the dark, “I will be fit as ever in no time.”
But before she could make answer to that bold claim, he astonished her further by adding, “In truth, I am more comfortable than I have been since the last time I held you in our bed. Though perhaps I would like it even better if I was given leave to offer you the same kinds of caresses again, now, with which you have just gifted me?…”
Alissende bit back her own smile. “I do not think that would be wise in your condition, sir. Better that you rest and regain your strength.”
He sighed. “I suppose you are right. Though I will not concede without striking fear into your heart with the promise that when I am able, I will extract a double—nay, perhaps even triple—payment from you for the tender torments you played upon me this night.”
Pretending a shiver of terror that was really one of delicious anticipation, Alissende grinned, closing her eyes and nestling into his arms as she whispered dutifully, “I am trembling with the dread of it, my lord.”
“Good.”
He tucked her more closely against him, pressing a kiss to the top of her head and sighing again, this time with a sound of pure contentment.
After a few more moments without further conversation, Alissende knew he had fallen asleep—so she decided to try to do the same, knowing that the challenges coming on the morrow would require all of her concentration if she was to navigate them successfully.
And she intended to be ready for them.