“Really? I thought I was the one talking.” His lips brushed her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
She bit off a moan. “I don’t want you to have regrets.”
“I’ll regret it if I don’t,” he said and then lifted his head to scan her face. “Perhaps it is you who will have regrets? Do you wish to stop?” His eyes were a little glassy, but there was no mistaking the desire, and she couldn’t help but respond to it. Attraction had been simmering since the start. Knowing he felt the same pull made it hard to resist. They weremarried.They were expected to have sex. Maybe he didn’t love her, but wouldn’t a husband with benefits be the next best thing?
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “No, don’t stop.” She was drunk—drunk on him, on desire, on hope. There might be regrets, but she’d worry about them later.
He smiled then, a smile so sexy and engaging, doubt evaporated.
His head descended, and she gave herself up to his kiss, clinging to him and staking her claim. His mouth was soft, but hot and insistent, eliciting a powerful response from her. He shifted so he didn’t crush her to the mattress—or maybe so that he could stroke her breast. The sensation of his palm against her hard nipple stirred an ache for more intimate contact.
“We should take off—” She let out a moan and arched her neck as he kissed her throat. “Some clothes.”
“Um…yeah,” he agreed.
Her neck had always been sensitive, and when he buried his face against her throat and nuzzled her skin, the gentle nip of his teeth elicited a surge of wetness between her legs. He kissed away the sting, pressing his lips to her throat as he stroked her breast.
And then he went still, his body limp, lips still pressed to her throat.
What is he doing?“Jaryk?”
No answer.
She twisted and turned her head. Liquor-scented breath wafted across her face. His eyes were closed, not with ecstasy but…sleep.
He fell asleep?She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry or pound the bed with frustration.
“Jaryk?” She shook his shoulder and got a snort for her trouble.
If so inebriated that he passed out in the middle of sex, sex probably wasn’t a good idea. In the harsh light of day, he might feel she’d taken advantage of him. Given their relationship dynamic, if they did become intimate, it should be with a clear head.At least there won’t be any regrets.
But he fell asleep in the middle of sex! Well, not quite the middle, more the start. I’m going to try not to feel insulted.
She was more amused than insulted. Sexually frustrated—but still amused.
She tried to wiggle out from under him, but his arm pressed on her chest, and one of his legs trapped hers. And, maybe she didn’t try too hard to wake him up. It was pleasant, intimate in its own way, to lie with him, feeling the weight and warmth of his arm and leg, while listening to his gentle breathing.
She closed her eyes. Soon, she joined him in slumber.
Chapter Eleven
Jaryk awakened to dim morning light with a fuzzy mouth, a slightly aching head, and a throbbing conscience. It had been years since he’d overindulged the way he had last night. He truly hoped he hadn’t behaved as boorishly as memory suggested he had. He’d lost all inhibitions and caved to the temptation he’d been fighting.
It wasn’t just the effects of the spirits.His actions had been motivated by the combined effect of the epiphany he and Charday were a bad match—and the liquor. But, in his heart of hearts, he didn’t regret kissing Kismet—unless she regretted it, in which case, he did, too. He would have to seek her out and find out. Apologize if need be.
He sighed and rolled over.
She’s still here!She lay facing him, a hand under her cheek. She wore last night’s clothing—as did he. She had looked stunning in Kaldoran attire, the native garments suiting her so well.
Like she suited him.
He touched her hair. Was her presence a positive sign? Or had she simply fallen asleep? He blew into his cupped hands. Ugh. His breath would shrivel the hardiest plants at the Museum of Horticulture. The scent of spirits was never better the second day.
Careful not to wake her, he slipped out of bed and padded into his bathing chamber, praying she wouldn’t disappear in his absence. After cleaning his teeth, he peeked into the other room.Still sound asleep.Did he have time for a quick wash? He didn’t wish for her to wake and catch him in such a disreputable state. He needed to improve upon his bad impression, not reinforce it.
He shed his wrinkled clothing and stepped into the cleansing unit, emerging fresh and dry. He donned a robe and returned to the bedchamber.Still here.He eased into bed and lay facing her, the better to study her.
Dark hair framed her face, calling attention to her delicate features—a pert little nose and a sexy mouth that quirked off center in an adorable way when she smiled. He knew she had pretty brown eyes that crinkled into half-moons with amusement.
