Fire's Ice by Brynna Curry Page B

a warm gentle breeze, Devin let his power dry their skin as he carried her back to bed. He laid her gently on the comforter and drank in the sight of his woman. Dark tumbled curls, hell-smoke eyes, pale creamy skin. He’d never wanted anything more in his entire life. And that was saying something. Women, money, and more power. Every one of them left him empty inside. He’d taken all he could, but never before had he ached, been so hungry for anyone.
    He lay down beside her and took her lips in a gentle kiss. He should give them both time to think about this, to plan. “I love you, Ari. Are you sure? I wanted to give you more time.”
    “Oh, yes.” Even now, Ari wouldn’t give the words back to him.
    She will. One day she’ll trust me with her heart.
    “I’m sure.”
    He trailed his lips from her mouth down the column of her throat where her pulse beat under his kiss.
    “I’ve had my fill of waiting.”
    Skin to skin, his blood beat hot and fierce. Need ruled him, but he forced it back. He’d been crazy to try. How could he turn away from her? “Look at me, Ari. Hold on to me.” When her eyes fixed on his, cleared, he pulled her closer, sank into her body carefully.
    “Devin.” His name fell from her lips and the sound of it, the moment was one he wouldn’t trade for any other. Mine. Always . He caught her cry with his kiss and stilled inside her, giving her time to adjust.
    “Only for a moment. I promise, a ghra .” He took her lips, kept the kiss slow and deep until the tension in her muscles eased.
    “Don’t you dare stop now.” She rocked her hips against his, pulling him deeper.
    “Not planning to.” He took her with care, moving slowly at first, then faster when she demanded. His power wanted to seek out hers, seal that final link that would bind them completely. She wasn’t ready. Not for that part of him, but he would give her pleasure while his soul ached. Locking it away, he focused on the sensation of her fingers on his skin, the softness of her lips against his, the way her body fit his perfectly.
    “I love you, Arianne.”
    * * * *
    She was covered in liquid gold, every inch of her skin burning with the thrill of his hands on her. Her first, her only. For the first time in her life, she felt loved– cherished. Wanting to give the words back to him, she captured his face in her hands, placed her lips lightly over his. Fear stilled her. Every person she had offered those words to had grown to hate her. She couldn’t bear to see the same in his eyes after she had known his love. And so she kept them to herself to spare them both. “Devin, a amhain .” I love you. I love you . Her nails scored his back as he took her higher toward madness. “With me.” Pleasure tore through her like lightning. Arching her hips, she met him thrust for thrust. Ache for ache. Clinging to Devin, she took him with her.
    The sensation of Devin’s weight pinning her to the mattress was exquisite. Her breath came in short gasps and she shivered.
    “Cold?”
    “I don’t think I’ll ever be cold again.”
    Devin smiled. “If that was a sin, I’d gladly spend eternity in Hell for another taste. You have the best ideas.”
    “True.” She laughed and then gave an oomph sound as something heavy pounced onto his back on top of the covers. At one point, they had managed to slip under the comforter. “What in the world?”
    “Tess.” He growled the name in her ear. “My cat. She wants her breakfast and is prone to getting her way. And the pillow you’re resting on.”
    “Breakfast sounds good.” The fat black furball peered over his shoulder at her. “Aww. Sweet kitty, time to let our laird out of bed.”
    The cat jumped down to the floor and pranced out into the hall, swishing her tail.
    Ari laughed.
    “Figures she’d listen to you. What’s so funny?”
    “You. All powerful phoenix ruled by a little kitty cat. You are adorable.” She kissed him.
    “Adorable? I think I can do better than