* * * *
Her mind awhirl, Kismet got Jaryk to his room. Barely able to walk, he’d leaned on her heavily. He’d seemed different at dinner—and not just because he’d gotten wasted. He’d seemed less talkative, although more self-reflective. He said he was glad he married her! She sensed a deeper message, like he’d wanted to say more. Or was that her hopeful heart wishing for the moon? But there’d been no mistaking the appreciative look in his eyes when he entered the dining room.
She guided him to the bed and wrestled his jacket off. “Let me pull back the—”
He collapsed.
“Covers,” she finished.
“The room is moving,” he said.
“I’m not surprised.” Even half of a tiny glass would get her drunk. He’d had a lot more. Luckily, he’d still been able to walk upright.
She slipped off his left shoe. “Put your foot on the floor.” She guided his lower leg off the bed.
“Oh, that’s better!”
“You never learned that little trick?” She removed his other shoe.
“What other tricks can you do?”
“Well, I guess I can charm your mother,” she joked, expecting him to chuckle.
The look in his eyes was dead serious. “And me. You charmed me.”
“Oh, um, thank you. I’ll uh, let you get some sleep.” She turned to leave.
He grabbed her wrist. “Don’t go.” He tugged, and she toppled over onto the bed. He rolled and bracketed his arms on either side of her.
His head dipped, and, for a heart-stopping moment, she thought he would kiss her, but he nuzzled her hair. “You smell good.”
What is he doing?“It’s the bath products…”
He shook his head. “No, it’s you.” His head dipped again, and, this time, he did kiss her, rubbing his lips against hers before lifting again. “I’ve wanted to do that since our wedding.”
Her heart fluttered like a trapped bird, except this bird enjoyed being trapped. But, what did his attention mean?
It means he’s drunk, idiot.
He kissed her again, this time with the gentle probe of his tongue against the seam of her lips. Unable to resist, she opened her mouth, and his tongue slid inside. Senses went wild. He tasted like spicy-sweet Kaldoran spirits and something masculine and heady, and oh, he smelledgood, too.
His tongue coaxed hers, and she surrendered with full capitulation, kissing him likeshe’dbeen longing to do. She curled her hand around his nape and stroked his silky blue hair.
His sexy growl stirred her arousal.
She hugged his neck as they continued to kiss. When he lifted his head, the arousal in his gaze left no uncertainty as to his intentions. Her mouth dried with anticipation, but also wariness. What if this was the liquor talking? What if in the morning he regretted being with her?
However, sleeping together might draw them closer and cement their relationship. But it would also increase the likelihood she got her heart broken if they split up.
And what if it made day-to-day interactions awkward? She would hate to sacrifice their warmth and friendship for one night in the sack.
“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” she said.
“Why?” He nuzzled her hair. “Youdosmell good.”
Her stomach clenched with longing and desire.Be strong.
“It’s the liquor talking…”
