Warrior Lover (Draconia Tales) by Karilyn Bentley Page A

wrinkle their corners.
    Nice words, Enar. Try not to scare her next time.
    Slow, he’d have to move slow, lest he frighten her too badly. He needed to ease her into her new life. Not scare her away.
    He kissed her nose, smiling as her lids flew open. “You enjoyed me earlier, you’ll enjoy it now. Just a little kiss here,” he pecked her cheek, “then here,” he pecked her other cheek, “and let’s not forget here.” Covering her lips with his, he kissed her, running his hand down her side until she relaxed against him.
    Trailing kisses down her neck, he lightly nipped her silky skin, pleased when she moaned. Too much clothing lay between his skin and hers, but if he ripped off their clothes the way he wanted, she’d probably freeze in fright. A frightened woman was the last thing he wanted in his bed.
    Why was he thinking like this? What was it about his claim that made him care how she felt?
    The why of it didn’t matter. Only the woman lying beside him mattered.
    Running his hand down her hip, he found the edge of her tunic and slipped his fingers underneath. Her breathing stopped the instant his hand touched the smooth skin of her belly, her body tensing. He gave a mental curse. How much slower could he go? Maybe he could distract her, overwhelm her with pleasure so she welcomed his hand on her hip. He had no choice but to kiss her, delving deep into her mouth, tangling his tongue with hers until she relaxed, her fingers curling into his shirt.
    Enar let his fingers roam, walking the ladder of her prominent ribs until he reached her breast. What he would give to see the color of her nipples, to see what his fingers felt. He imagined the color of pale pink roses covering her pebbly nubs. Tomorrow he’d have a look. For now he was content with the texture of her skin beneath his fingers.
    He drew small circles around the peak, lightly touching until he reached the tip. Lily moaned when he rolled her nipple between his thumb and finger, the sound vibrating across his lips. He broke the kiss, continuing to play with her nipple.
    Patience was never one of his virtues. “Take your tunic off, before I rip it.”
    ****
    Lily froze, all the pleasurable feelings zipping around her body coming to a complete halt at his words. Despite the dark, she saw lust ravaging his features, heard it in his voice. She had no doubt he would rip her tunic to get at her.
    In truth, part of her wanted him to.
    But the reality was, she didn’t have many clothes and losing one that way wasn’t worth it. A bit frightened, and yet tingling with excitement, she sat up, the blanket hovering around her as she removed her tunic. What was more bizarre, a hovering invisibility blanket or the fact Enar wanted her despite her coloring?
    Enar stared at her breasts, palming one, the calluses in his hand scraping against her swollen nipples, shooting tendrils of fire through her veins.
    “Exquisite.”
    He pushed gently against her shoulder and she laid spread below him, staring at his face as the moonlit shadows danced across it. Enar scared and excited her at the same time. Her belly knotted, blood pulsed through her veins, pounded in her chest. She knew the basics of this act, but not the specifics. Would he crush her? Would he care if he hurt her?
    He was being gentle. For the moment anyway.
    Lily looked into his eyes, into the blue pools, now black in the moonlight. Never in her wildest imaginings did she think her innocence would be lost to a stranger. Or to anyone for that matter. She figured she’d die with all parts intact. The priests, and all other men she knew, had never been interested in her body for anything other than ridding it of its spirit.
    What was he waiting for? Enar stared at her breasts, flicking a thumb across the nipples, his brows drawn together. She raised her head, glancing down. Had he found something wrong with her? Her gaze met his and she felt heat rise in her cheeks.
    “What color are they?” His voice rasped as