Chapter 23 #2
His mouth found the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder, and she made a sound that was half sigh, half moan. Her hands explored the broad expanse of his chest, marveling at the play of muscle beneath skin.
“Auren,” she breathed.
He backed her against the stone wall with deliberate purpose, his body caging her in. The cool stone against her bare back was a stark contrast to the heat radiating from him, and the sensation made her dizzy with want.
His mouth traveled lower, pressing open-mouthed kisses along her collarbone before finding the swell of her breast. When his tongue flicked against her nipple, she cried out, fingers threading through his dark hair.
“I love the sounds you make,” he murmured against her skin, lavishing attention on first one breast, then the other.
Cassara’s skin tingled at his praise, a flush spreading across her chest and up her neck. Her body was a live wire, every nerve ending electrified by his touch. When he drew her nipple into his mouth again, she felt the sensation echo between her legs, an answering pulse of desire.
“I can’t help it,” she admitted breathlessly. “You make me feel things I never—”
Her words dissolved into a gasp as his teeth grazed the sensitive peak, sending sparks of pleasure racing through her.
His hand traced the curve of her waist, fingers splaying across her ribs before drifting lower.
The anticipation was almost unbearable as his touch skimmed her abdomen, pausing at the laces of her pants.
With deft movements that spoke of his combat training, Auren loosened the ties while his mouth continued its sweet torture on her breasts. Cassara’s head fell back, her eyes fluttering closed as sensation overwhelmed her.
“Is this still alright?” he asked as he began to ease her pants lower.
“Please,” was all she could manage, her hips shifting restlessly against him.
His fingers slipped beneath the waistband, stroking the sensitive skin just below her navel. Cassara’s breathing stuttered as he ventured lower, through the soft curls until he found the slick heat of her. When his finger slid against her she bit her lip to stifle a moan.
“Don’t hold back,” he commanded softly. “I want to hear every sound.” His eyes were dark with desire as he watched her reactions. His finger circled her entrance, gathering moisture before sliding up to brush against her clit.
Cassara gasped, clutching at his shoulders, her nails leaving half-moon impressions in his skin.
When the finger finally slipped inside her, she let out a whimper, her inner walls clenching, her body instinctively seeking more.
He added a second finger alongside the first, stretching her gently. His thumb found her clit, circling it until she was quivering with need.
“That’s it,” Auren whispered against her neck, his breath hot on her skin. “Let me hear you.”
Another whimper escaped her lips, soft and vulnerable. Her hips bucked against his hand, seeking more pressure, more friction, more of everything he offered.
“Auren,” she moaned again, her voice cracking as his fingers curled inside her. “Please,” she begged, though she wasn’t entirely sure what she was begging for. Her body knew, even if her mind couldn’t articulate it.
His free hand tangled in her hair, tugging gently to expose her throat. His mouth descended, teeth grazing the tender skin where her pulse hammered wildly. The feel of his fingers between her thighs and his mouth on her neck drew a low cry from deep within her.
Her breasts heaved against his bare chest, sensitive nipples brushing against heated skin. Each point of contact sent new sparks of pleasure coursing through her veins.
As his thumb increased its pressure, circling faster, Cassara felt herself climbing higher. Her thighs began to tremble, muscles tensing as her body chased the release it craved.
“I can’t—” she gasped, eyes flying open to meet his gaze. The intensity there nearly undid her, hunger and tenderness mingled in equal measure.
“You can,” he assured her, his voice a rumble she felt more than heard. “Let go for me, Cassara.”
As if on command, the wave crested and broke.
She cried out his name, a sound that started deep in her chest and emerged as something between a sob and a scream.
Her body clenched rhythmically around his fingers as pleasure radiated outward from her core, washing through her limbs in tingling ripples.
Auren worked her through it, slowing his movements as the aftershocks rippled through her. When she finally sagged against him, boneless and panting, he withdrew his hand and wrapped his arm around her waist to steady her.
“You’re exquisite,” he whispered against her hair.
Cassara looked up at him through half-lidded eyes, taking in his flushed face and the barely contained hunger in his gaze. A newfound boldness surged through her, washing away the last of her nervousness.
“I want more,” she said, her voice hoarse but determined. “I want all of you.”
Auren’s gaze intensified at her words, the last thread of his restraint snapping visibly.
He claimed her mouth with savage intensity, his lips crushing against hers with a groan that reverberated through her body.
Cassara gasped into his kiss, her back pressing harder against the wall behind her as his hands found her hips.
“Are you sure?” he breathed against her lips.
“Yes,” she whispered.
His fingers dragged her pants down her thighs with agonizing slowness.
Heat bloomed across Cassara’s face, but she refused to look away. The vulnerability of standing half-naked before him was overwhelming, yet strangely empowering. Her damp undergarments followed her pants, sliding down her legs until she could kick them aside.
His hand slid between her thighs again and he brought his lips close to her ear.
“I want to taste you,” he whispered, his lips trailing down her neck as his fingers continued to tease her.
Cassara wasn’t sure what he meant, at least not until he sank to his knees before her, looking up at her with reverence. In this moment, she wasn’t just a beast taming student, and he wasn’t her combat instructor. They were equals in desire, partners in this ancient dance.
His palms skimmed up her outer thighs, his warm hands creating delicious friction against her smooth skin. Cassara’s breath caught as he gazed up at her, his eyes dark pools of hunger. The stone wall behind her was the only thing keeping her upright as her knees threatened to buckle.
“Steady,” Auren murmured, his breath warm against her inner thigh. His hands gripped her hips firmly, anchoring her. “Let me help you.”
With gentle pressure, he guided her right leg up and over his broad shoulder.
The position opened her completely, leaving nothing hidden from his view.
She felt exposed in a way she’d never been before.
A tremor ran through her body, not from cold or fear, but from the intensity of his gaze as he studied her most intimate place.
“You’re beautiful here, too,” he said, his voice rough with desire.
Cassara’s fingers found purchase in his hair, partly for balance and partly from an instinctive need to hold onto something solid as sensation threatened to overwhelm her. “I haven’t—” she began, her voice faltering as his thumbs parted her gently.
“I know,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to the tender curve of her thigh. “Trust me.”
The first touch of his mouth against her core tore a startled cry from her throat.
His tongue traced her entrance with agonizing slowness before sliding upward to circle her clit and had her clutching his hair tighter.
The wet heat of his mouth was unlike anything she’d ever experienced, more intense, more intimate than his fingers had been.
“Auren!” His name escaped her lips as a desperate plea.
He hummed against her in response, the vibration sending new waves of pleasure coursing through her body. Her head pressed harder against the wall, her back arching as he explored her with abandon. Each stroke, each gentle suck drew sounds from her she’d never made before.
The leg supporting her weight trembled dangerously. Sensing her instability, Auren’s arm wrapped around her thigh on his shoulder, his hand splaying across her lower back to support her. His other hand gripped her hip, thumb making soothing circles against her hipbone.
Cassara looked down, and the sight of him kneeling before her, his face buried between her thighs, nearly undid her.
Their eyes met, and the raw hunger in his gaze sent a fresh wave of heat pooling low in her belly.
She was at his mercy, yet somehow in this moment of complete vulnerability, she felt powerful beyond measure.
“I can feel you trembling,” he murmured before his tongue delved deeper, exploring her with thoroughness that had her gasping for breath.
When he returned his attention to her clit, alternating between gentle flicks and firm pressure, she gasped, one hand tangling in his hair, not knowing whether to pull him closer or push him away as the pleasure built to an almost unbearable intensity.
His hands moved lower to grip her thighs more firmly, holding her in place as he redoubled his efforts.
When he slipped one finger inside her, curling it upward while his tongue continued its relentless assault, the last of her resistance crumbled.
The tension that had been building snapped, and she cried out as waves of pleasure crashed through her body, more powerful than the first time.
Auren didn’t relent, drawing out her climax until she was whimpering, her body hypersensitive and trembling.
Only then did he slowly rise to his feet, his eyes never leaving hers as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
The primal gesture sent another pulse of desire through her despite her recent release.