Prince of Stone (Imperia)

by Gena Showalter

  “Where exactly do I make you ache, katya?”

  “Everywhere.”

  “Where specifically? Here?” He grazed the tip of her nipple.

  Her hips jerked, and she almost came right then. “Yes, there.” He dipped his head and licked. Sucked. “Yes! Do that again. Please.”

  He gave her other nipple the same treatment, a light grazing, followed by the heat of his tongue. She arched her lower body, ready for more. Just one more touch should propel her over the edge.

  “Where else do I make you ache?” he demanded.

  All she could do? Moan and shimmy against him.

  Her robe parted, and he sucked in a sharp breath. “You are magnificent, katya.”

  His words washed over her, as sensual as a caress, and she squirmed against him, freeing her arms. Beyond desperate now, she reached between them to yank at his towel.

  He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “I asked you a question. Where else do you ache?”

  She was too aroused to be embarrassed, liquid warmth whirling in her stomach. “Between my legs,” she said, and groaned. “I ache between my legs. And everywhere else.”

  Watching her face intently, he slipped a finger through her pale curls. Just when she rocked forward, he darted away. She followed. Each time, he edged closer to the heart of her need.

  Over and over he teased her that way, giving her a glimpse of pleasure, only to stop.

  When he brushed her swollen clitoris, she let her head fall back as she cried, “Yes. Right there.” But he retreated again. “No, come back.” Returned. “Oh, yes, there.” Retreated. “No!” As the dance continued, her breaths came in short, erratic pants. “Enough,” she managed to croak.

  “Are you sure?” He was beginning to lose his playful air. In fact, the teasing light had completely abandoned his eyes, and now he watched her with deep intensity. “Shall I leave?”

  “No, no! Give me more. Give me everything. And hurry!”

  His eyes darkened to a deep sapphire blue. “I will hurry…our second time.”

  Hoping her brother’s advice would not lead her astray, she maneuvered out of her robe. “How about I take my time with you?”

  His pupils expanded. “I’ll hurry now.”

  In the next instant, she found herself flat on her back. While on his knees, Jorlan jerked her to the edge of the bed, spread her legs and kissed between her thighs.

  The pleasure! The bliss! She exploded in a rush. Fire, joy, pleasure all rocked her, sending thousands of twinkling lights through her mind. She lost touch with where she was, who she was, only feeling an incredible shiver race through her again and again. And when she thought she might die from the sensation, Jorlan kissed her again with his heavenly tongue until she could only gasp his name. He tasted her, sucked her, and made her want him all over again. He expertly worked his tongue and fingers in a way that made her every fantasies pale in comparison.

  When she came a second time, he moved to stand over her. His hair was darker than the night sky that framed her window, and his eyes…his eyes were blazing with passion, bright and crystalline. He gazed down at her spread legs and wet arousal.

  In that moment, she realized a wonderful truth. She’d wanted a dominant man, and she’d gotten one. He controlled their lovemaking and it was spectacular.

  “I hope you are ready, katya,” he said, his voice strained. “We are just getting started.”

  * * *

  NEVER HAD JORLAN seen so beautiful a sight before. Nor would he again. Not without Katie. Her cheeks were flushed and rosy. Her hazel eyes were brilliant and wide, her lips swollen and parted from his kisses. Her nipples were as ripe and pink as berries, and her woman’s flesh was damp with arousal he had caused.

  Muscles bunching, he crawled over her. As skin met heated skin, they both cried out. He’d wanted to prolong the moment, to prolong their pleasure, but he wasn’t sure how much longer he could last. He rocked himself against her, careful not to enter her yet.

  “Just like that,” she panted.

  So he did it again, gliding back and forth in the slick V of her thighs while she rubbed herself wantonly against him. Finally, Jorlan had pushed himself to the edge of his control. He wanted this woman too desperately and for too long to stop now.

  He kissed her breasts, dragged his teeth over her nipples and positioned himself for entry, but he didn’t push inside immediately, just teased her opening. “Before I go any further, I need to hear your assent once more.”

  She had been so bold about everything else; he yearned for her boldness in this, as well. Her eyes were the warm color of honey, and passion misted in their depths. Yet they had been so glazed before. When he took her, he wanted it to be with her cries of rapture in his ears, not regret.

  Another heart-stopping pause. “I want you, Jorlan. Now,” she commanded, a vixen aroused to the point of pain. “Do it now.”

  “My pleasure.” He grinned slowly, wickedly. She was a warrioress through and through, even in lovemaking, and that fueled his desire as never before. “’Tis indeed my pleasure.”

  He plunged inside her.

  She cried out as her virginity gave way, her sleek tightness engulfing him. He stilled. Her nails deeply scored his back as she uttered expletive after expletive.

  “Katya,” he gritted against her ear, struggling not to go over the edge. Struggling even more to give her time to adjust. This bold, passionate woman was—nay, had been—untouched. He was the first, the only man to fill her, and the knowledge threatened to fell him.

  How had this enchanting creature gone so long without knowing a man’s touch?

  Were the men of her world fools? Jorlan shook his head in wonder, for aye, they were. For what manner of man left such a prize without a fight? Delight, wonder and awe wound through him. He was no fool. He had wanted her, needed her, and so he had won her. He alone had seen Katie flushed like this. He alone had heard his name on her lips as she came. What a sweet gift she had given him, a gift he would cherish all the days of his life.

  “We’re not done, are we, Jorlan?” she asked hesitantly. She chewed on her bottom lip.

  He gave a strained chuckle. “Nay, my katya. We will not be finished for a long while yet.”

  “Oh.” Her legs wrapped around his waist, sending him deeper inside of her. She winced. “I’m not sure if I’m ultraexcited or a little bummed.”

  She winced, aye, yet he groaned at the exquisite sensation. “You will enjoy it soon, I swear it.” He would move heaven and earth. “How bad did I hurt you?”

  “Not too bad,” she hedged.

  “Wish you told me.” Why hadn’t she told him? “Never taken a virgin before, so I do not know exactly how long I should wait to move.” Not long, he hoped, for sweat was already beading on his forehead. His muscles were already clamoring for more. But he was determined to finish as slowly as he’d begun. “Tell me when you are ready.” His restraint was quickly breaking, and he was fast losing his control.

  Her breath fanned across his cheek. She moved her leg experimentally, sending him even deeper inside. The movement nearly drove him mad with need. If she pulled back now, if she said no more, he would stop, but he would want to die first.

  “Jorlan?” The firm tone of her voice did not bode well for him.

  “Aye.”

  “Move,” she said.

  Dread speared through him, desperate and achy. “I will move away if you want me to, but I think you’ll like it if you’ll just give it more time. You’ll feel better and become used to me.”

  “No.” Voice as thick and sweet as honey, she told him, “I don’t want you to move away. I want you to move inside me.”

  Comprehension dawned, spurring him into action. He pulled out and sank deep, then did it again. And again. Such pleasure. Indescribable! He gave thanks to Percen. Without his brother, he would not have experienced this moment.

  Jorlan hooked Katie’s knees over his elbows, spreading her wider, pressing against
her center. She purred like a sweet little kitten.

  He reached between their bodies to circle the center of her desire with his thumb. She gasped, cried out. He felt her inner walls tighten and spasm against him, and he moved faster. Harder. Deeper. Only when he heard his name rip from her throat did he spill inside her.

  When the last pulse subsided, he remained as he was, surrounded by her essence. Silently, he gazed down at her. Katie’s eyes were closed, and she appeared to be asleep.

  That had been the most intense, satisfying experience of his life, but he didn’t have the strength to examine why just yet. By Elliea, he was not sure he would be able to move ever again. Still, he didn’t want to crush Katie during the night.

  Careful not to wake her, he leaned to the side. After a while, he grew drowsy, the sound of their combined breaths a tranquil kind of music.

  This is the life.

  How am I supposed to give this up?

  * * *

  “JORLAN?” KATIE ASKED a while later.

  “Hmm?”

  She opened her mouth to ask for praise. Or comments and suggestions. “Nothing. Never mind.”

  Gah! She lay still, exhausted but unable to sleep as she waited for him to say something, even though she hadn’t asked him anything.

  Minute after minute dragged by, and he remained quiet.

  “Jorlan?” she repeated.

  “Aye, katya.”

  Again, she paused. “Nothing.”

  His warm, silky breath fanned her ear, and he sat up, suddenly wide-awake. For some reason, he grinned. “Say what is on your mind or neither of us will sleep this eve.”

  Maybe she should praise him first? “That was wonderful, Jorlan.”

  The corners of his lips faded to a frown of disappointment.

  Her blood flash freezing, she gazed up at him with wide eyes. “You didn’t think it was wonderful?”

  “’Tis not that.” He settled at her side. “I had thought you were about to profess your love for me.”

  “Oh.”

  A long sigh escaped him. “Mayhap you still need some persuasion, which I will most happily provide once you are not so sore.”

  She waited for him to say more. When he didn’t speak again for a long while, she asked, “Is there anything else you want to say to me?”

  “Aye. Good eve.”

  She jolted upright, hitting his chin with the top of her head in the process. “Good eve? Good eve! Well, you can shove your good eve right up your as—”

  In the next heartbeat she found herself flipped over and pinned to the bed. Jorlan loomed over her. “Did you wish to hear something from me, little witch?”

  Mutinous, she glared up at him.

  “You were more than I could have ever dreamed,” he said softly.

  Well, that was better. “And?”

  “And what?”

  She slapped his chest.

  He chuckled. “You owe me money, katya. I should like to collect my payment now.”

  She gasped. “I’m not paying you for sex, you—you gigolo. In fact, I was so good, you should pay me.”

  He blinked. “You misunderstand. You owe me a quarter for every time you spoke a foul word.” His lips stretched in a grin. “The closer you came to your peak, the more profanities you uttered. And I—” he kissed her softly “—loved every moment of it.”

  Her features softened. “How much do I owe?”

  “Too much. I fear I must allow you to pay me in trade.”

  That sounded intriguing. “What sort of trade?”

  “You will listen to my next words without comment.”

  Curious at his sudden seriousness, she nodded. “All right. Deal.”

  He waited a moment to assure himself she listened. “Never have I experienced a joining like ours. You captivated me, amazed me and stole the breath from my lungs. Had I known you tasted so sweet, I would have sampled you that very first night, and every moment since, even without your approval.”

  Katie didn’t know what to say. His confession was more than she’d ever dreamed, headier than a kiss. Then he began touching her once again and the added sensation made her purr.

  Oh. Oh, my. Oh, yes.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  WHAT WAS I THINKING, Katie wondered dreamily, to deny this man so long?

  So the wait had only been a couple of days. Her thought still stood. She should have jumped him at moment one.

  Most of the candles on her dresser had long since extinguished. She lay atop Jorlan, her head cradled protectively in the hollow of his neck. The rest of her was draped over his body like a winter quilt. They had just made love. Again.

  She could not get enough.

  Right now, he was absentmindedly caressing the curve of her spine, and she was shivering with delight. She might not ever let him out of bed.

  Never had she felt so wonderful. The things she’d done, the things she’d said, didn’t embarrass her. She reveled in them and the power she had over such a dominating man.

  Outside her window the stars twinkled brightly, like little diamonds scattered across black velvet. The world seemed to have slowed down. Everything, including the air and the softly chirping crickets, was quiet with the reverence of the moment.

  She stroked Jorlan’s chest. On each side of his ribs, four parallel welts slashed downward. She liked that she had put them there, a subtle reminder of her presence.

  While that particular reminder would fade, her memory of this night would last for the rest of her life. She had a feeling she would recall every sound, every scent and every sensation every freaking night. Already she craved another orgasm, the intimacy and the afterglow everything she’d never known she needed.

  What man could ever compare?

  Forget First Date Syndrome. She now suffered from Comparison Disease.

  Katie couldn’t summon the energy needed to worry about it, though. Lying in his arms, sleep called to her and she could not resist. Jorlan’s heat seeped into her bones, drugging, comforting.

  She’d just closed her eyes when Jorlan said, “Now, little witch, we will talk.”

  Uh, what now? “About what?” she asked, raspy and lethargic.

  He rolled her onto her back and stared down at her. “Why did you not mention your untried state?”

  Crap! Her eyelids popped open. She absolutely did not want to have this conversation, but he seemed so intent, she knew he would not leave her alone until she confessed. “At what moment was I supposed to blurt out that I was a virgin?”

  “After our first kiss. After we almost made love on the bathing chamber floor. During our trip to see Mon Graig.”

  “Okay, so I had the opportunity.”

  “Aye, you did.”

  “I guess I just didn’t want to seem inexperienced,” she said with a shrug.

  He nodded his understanding. “But why did you choose me to be your first—and if I have my way, your only?”

  Do it. Say it. Admit it. “I’d just…I’d never met the right man until you.”

  His expression became thoughtful. “That is part of the answer, I think, but not the whole.”

  He was too perceptive. How annoying.

  “Has no man of your world ever truly courted you?” he asked. “I know you mentioned having First Date Syndrome, but surely someone has fought for your attention.”

  “Well, yeah. Some have tried.”

  “And failed—until me.” Pure masculine pride laced his tone. “Were they lacking in some way?”

  He meant the question to be rhetorical, she could tell, but she answered him anyway. “The problem wasn’t with the men I dated. The problem was with me. I told you I’m sick in the head, but that’s only part of it. They didn’t check my boxes. I guess because there’s something lacking inside me.”

  His brows smoothed as he pondered her words. “What was lacking?”

  Well. “Interest.”

  Slowly, he smiled with pure happiness. “Is that so?”

  “I jus
t…well…for starters, I wanted a man who was taller than me.”

  That smile of his continued to grow. “I am much taller than you.”

  His happiness was contagious. “And a man who makes me feel like a desirable woman, not just one of the boys.”

  He kissed her eyelid as softly as a butterfly wing. “I do that, aye?”

  “Aye. I mean yes, you do.” But she wasn’t finished. “I wanted a man who desired me despite my flaws. And before you say I have no flaws—”

  “But you do not. You have zero flaws.”

  She rolled her eyes, even as she mewled inside. “Anyway. My biggest flaw is probably my temper, as small as it is.”

  He pressed his lips to hers in a light kiss. “I desire you because of who you are. Not just my savior, but my…everything.”

  Her heart flip-flopped. “Am I really?”

  “How can you doubt me?” He planted his elbows on either side of her head, his erection pressed between her naked thighs.

  Despite being sore, she responded in an instant, heating up. Melting. Blood rushed through her like an awakened river. But he did not ease inside her, didn’t touch her more intimately. He became pensive.

  “I will not give you another orgasm, not until you tell me more about your life.”

  She pursed her lips. “I’m tired. Why don’t we continue this conversation in the morn—”

  “Nay. You will speak of what I wish. You wanted sex, you got sex. I want conversation. I get conversation.”

  “Oh, I wanted sex and you were just humoring me to be kind?” Her challenging air quickly became breathless arousal. The feel of him so near her entrance proved both exciting and frustrating. Then he brought his fingers into play, teasing her in a way that guaranteed driving her to a mindless state.

  He nibbled on her ear and purred, “You claim you desire a man who truly sees you, but how can I see you if you will not share your life with me?”

  After all the pleasure he’d given her, how could she deny him anything? She sighed. “What do you want to know?”

  “Everything,” he said, mimicking her response to the very same question.

  So Katie told him about her life. He listened intently and chuckled every so often at her childhood antics. She told him about her fears, her hopes and dreams. At one point, he became quiet and serious, and she almost ended the conversation, but she decided to confess the worst of it before she lost her nerve.