Ava’s mouth went dry as Carrick said those words. They sounded menacing and sexy, all at the same time. Yes, please, prove it to me. Ava sat tensely, having no clue what Carrick would do. Her heart was beating so hard she thought it might jump out of her chest.
“Don’t move,” was all Carrick said as he walked over to one of the chairs and sat down.
Ava watched as he slowly pulled off his boots. He stood back up, and unbuckled his breastplate and pulled it off. He let it drop to the floor with a clang. He then slowly pulled his shirt over his head and Ava eyed him greedily as that golden expanse of stomach and chest was exposed. She looked up at his face and saw he was staring intently at her as he disrobed. Ava felt intoxicated as she watched him strip.
Never taking his eyes from hers, Carrick undid the top of his pants and slowly pushed them down his hips. Ava eyed the golden hair that started just below his navel, and then followed the journey of Carrick’s pants as they headed south.
She never made it past his erection because once it sprang free, Ava couldn’t care less where his pants went next. It was long and thick, and gloriously hard. Ava licked her lips and she thought she heard Carrick groan. Apparently while she was staring him, Carrick had removed his pants and was walking toward her. She looked back up to his eyes and they held promise that tonight would be unforgettable.
Carrick reached Ava and knelt down before her, making the pounding of her heart double. Her legs were completely bare to him as the slit in her dress had parted down the middle when she sat down. He surprised her when he picked up one foot, and gently removed her high heeled shoe. He took a moment and rubbed her foot. Then he repeated the process with her other. Ava was utterly mesmerized watching his tender ministrations.
Carrick placed his hands on the backs of her ankles, and stroked up her calves. She could feel the calluses on his hands from his many hours of sword fighting. Heat fanned over her skin where he touched, followed by goose bumps.
Reaching the back of her knees, Carrick brought his hands around to the front. Palms lying on her thighs, he slowly smoothed them up to her hips. His hands were spread wide and his thumbs blazed a delicious trail on the inside of her thighs. She knew where they would end up if he kept moving north. Ava closed her eyes and sighed. He is making this a soft and slow seduction.
Carrick’s hands abruptly stopped and Ava opened her eyes.
“Let’s get you out of this dress.”
Grasping her hands, Carrick gently pulled Ava up from the bed so she was standing in front of him. They weren’t touching but they were so close Ava could feel the heat coming off his body.
“You looked beautiful today in this,” Carrick said, lightly fingering the material between her breasts. “But it was so damn sexy I wanted to bury myself in you the minute I saw you in it.”
Carrick’s words were as much a turn on as his touch and Ava closed her eyes while she shuddered. She didn’t see, but felt Carrick grab the inside of her plunging neckline. With one of his hands on each side, he push the fabric apart and over her shoulders, then smoothed it down over her arms. The dress was not meant to be removed that way so Ava heard the filmy material rip slightly as he pushed it downward. He stopped just as the fabric reached her wrists, effectively pinning her arms to her side.
Ava’s eyes opened and she looked at Carrick. He was gazing at her breasts and she saw lust etched all over his face. And something else…almost a look of dominance.
“I’ll buy you another dress,” he murmured.
Dress? What dress?
Reaching out, Carrick palmed both of Ava’s breasts and softly kneaded them. He stroked her nipples with his thumbs and they tightened immediately. Ava wanted to bring her hands up to feel Carrick but they were pinned down by her dress. She felt helpless and vulnerable, feelings she normally hated. But with Carrick, it excited her terribly and she wondered what he would do next while he had her bound.
Not one to disappoint, Carrick cupped one of her breasts and lifted it slightly. He lowered his head and gently laved her nipple. Ava’s entire body rippled from the contact and her arms pulled to be free of the material. Carrick looked up at her and smiled. He knew he was driving her nuts. Scoundrel.
“Carrick. Please. Release my arms,” Ava begged. “I want to touch you.”
Releasing her breasts, Carrick grabbed the material around her wrists, and pushed down freeing her arms. Ava’s hands immediately wound around Carrick’s neck and slid into his hair, massaging his scalp. She stood on her toes and lightly kissed him on the neck. He responded with a low growl in his throat.
Grabbing the rest of the material at her waist, Carrick pushed it down her hips and it slithered to the floor. Now Ava stood in front of him with nothing on but the silk boy shorts that came with the dress.
“We’ll leave those on for now,” Carrick whispered as he trailed a finger down her stomach to the top band of the shorts. Ava willed his hand to go lower but it stopped.
“Get on the bed, Ava.” Carrick said it softly but it was full of command.
She hastily complied, lying on her back in the middle of the bed. Carrick stood at the end, watching her splayed out in front of him. His molten gaze roved over her body and Ava felt like a goddess.
Carrick knelt on the bed and crawled up Ava’s body. She automatically spread her legs so he could lie in between them. He held himself on his elbows above her, his face now hovering over hers. His erection lay pressed against her stomach but Carrick made no further move. It took all of Ava’s will power not to move her hips against him.
Carrick brought his lips down to Ava’s and whispered against them, “Tell me what you want.”
Ava cupped his face with her hands, stroking down his neck, to his shoulders. “I want you.”
Those three little words had Carrick diving down to her mouth. As their lips met and opened to each other, their tongues started mating in a sensuous dance. Carrick’s hands roamed Ava’s body, everywhere, laying claim to all he touched. He palmed her breasts, softly kneading them. He flicked his finger over a hardened nipple, still never taking his mouth from hers. One hand smoothed down over her ribs to her hip, then to the back her leg, hiking it up around his waist. Ava was overwhelmed with sensation and her hips involuntarily moved upward, trying to get more of that delicious friction.
Bringing his hand back to Ava’s hip, he lightly ran his finger across the top band of her shorts. Pulling his mouth away briefly, Carrick stared into her eyes. “Are you ready for me, Ava?”
“Yes,” Ava groaned. “Please, Carrick. Now.”
Carrick chuckled. “I’m not so sure. I think this will take more investigation.” He slid his hand from the top waistband and ran his finger along the bottom seam that lay along her leg. Ava’s breath hitched when one of his long fingers slipped under the shorts, and softly stroked her.
“More,” Ava pleaded.
***
Carrick swiped his finger up her center. He found her wet and vibrating with need. Mine, mine, mine! Stroking lightly, Carrick inserted his finger into her deeply and slowly started pumping it in and out. With his thumb, he caressed over her most sensitive spot, causing Ava to moan and her hips to roll against his hand. Carrick gave her several more strokes and then removed his hand from her shorts. Ava cried out over the loss of contact.
“Easy, Ava. I’m just getting started.”
Carrick sat back and looked down at her. Her eyes were glazed with desire, her lips were wet and slightly parted. Her hair was spread out around her on the bed and her chest was heaving up and down with shallow breaths. Carrick didn’t think he’d ever seen a more glorious sight.
Carrick scooted backward off the bed. Ava raised up on her elbows to see what he was doing.
“Just going to get you completely naked.”
Ava watched as Carrick grabbed hold of the waistband on her shorts and slowly pulled them down her legs until she was free of them. Grabbing Ava’s ankles, he spread her legs farther apart so she was co
mpletely bared to him. Carrick knelt on the floor, leaned over the edge of the bed and ran his tongue up Ava’s calf. Ava threw her head back and practically purred.
Carrick started inching his way up her body, back onto the bed. He kissed, licked and nuzzled his way up her legs. Sometimes he nipped with his teeth that shot sparks of electric fire into Ava’s groin. When he made it to her mound, he slipped his arms under her legs, hiking them up over his shoulders and brought his hands around to grip her thighs. Carrick laid his chin on her dark curls and just looked at her. I could lie like this for hours and just watch her.
With Carrick making no further movement, Ava lifted her head in curiosity. Their eyes held for several seconds but it seemed like an eternity. Then she watched as his hands moved to her center and spread her wide. Ava held her breath and bit her bottom lip. Carrick blew lightly on her and Ava threw her head back again while her whole body shuddered in pleasure.
He flicked his tongue over her…once…then again. Ava was moving her hips, silently imploring him to give her more. When he did nothing further, Ava lifted her head again to see what he was doing.
Carrick was again staring intently at her. “Tell me, Ava.”
“Tell you what?” she asked breathlessly.
“You know what I want to hear.” Carrick rested his chin back on her mound and waited patiently.
“Fine! I’m not going to marry Baynor. Are you happy?”
Carrick’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “Yes, and I’m getting ready to make you very happy you told me that.”
Done with this torturous teasing, Carrick leaned down and latched his mouth onto Ava. He alternated sucking and licking, slowly at first, then with growing speed and pressure. Moving one of his hands, he inserted two fingers into her and rotated them.
Ava couldn’t hold the building pressure anymore and she screamed as an orgasm tore its way through her. It seemed to go on and on and sparks of light were winking on the edges of her vision. Carrick continued to work her softly with his mouth, wringing out every bit of pleasure from her. When Ava finally pushed on Carrick’s head and said, “No more,” he looked up at her.
“I want to be inside you, Ava. Tell me you want that too.” His voice was guttural and filled with need.
“Yes,” Ava fervently responded. “Now”.
Carrick climbed up Ava’s body. Taking himself in his hand, he guided it to her wet entrance. He pushed in slowly, about an inch, and then withdrew. Ava moaned in protest.
“All of it,” Ava demanded.
Carrick didn’t wait and pushed into her with one smooth stroke. He started pumping his hips in long, luxurious strokes and brought his mouth back down to hers for a searing kiss. Ava’s legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer. Lifting his head up, Carrick stared down at Ava. They locked eyes and as Carrick pushed in and out of her, he rasped, “You feel so good, baby.”
“You too. So good.”
“Need you. Harder.”
“Yes. Harder. Faster.”
With every stroke, Carrick was getting closer to his release. Ava was letting out tiny little moans so he knew she was on the brink as well. Carrick increased his pace and felt Ava clamp down on him as her second orgasm started rippling through her. That sent Carrick over the edge and he shouted out her name as he came deep inside her.
Both Ava and Carrick’s breaths were harsh, and Carrick held himself up over her on his elbows. He leaned down and softly kissed her lips and then laid his forehead against hers. They lay like that for several seconds then Carrick eased out of Ava, rolling on to his back. He grabbed her and pulled her to his side so that her head could rest on his chest. Her arm draped across his stomach and she twined her legs with his. Eventually, their breathing started to slow.
“So, what did you have to give Sorin to get his troops?” Carrick asked. He was slowly stroking Ava’s arm.
Ava snorted. “Well, I knew it really wasn’t me he wanted. After talking to him for just a few minutes, it was clear that he wanted Kestevayne. I was just the means to get it. Anyway, it appears Croyden is not doing well financially and he had hoped to expand his holdings to infuse money into Croyden.”
“So you bought his troops?”
“Basically. I told him I would deed to him the lifetime rights to our largest salt mine in Kestevayne. Contingent, of course, on us winning Kestevayne back.”
Carrick smiled to himself. “Very diplomatic. I’m proud of you Ava.”
“And happy I’m not marrying Baynor, right?”
“You’re better than he is, Ava. I wouldn’t want you to make a mistake with him.” Ava sighed but didn’t say anything else. He knew she was frustrated with him.
Carrick was bone tired and he could tell by her breathing that Ava was starting to drift off. As his eyes were starting to feel heavy, he heard Ava whisper against his chest, “I love you, Carrick.”
His heart skipped a beat. Carrick didn’t say anything, but closed his eyes and went to sleep.
CHAPTER 16
Carrick woke before dawn. Ava was spooned up against him and his left arm had been holding her tightly. If his erection had anything to say about it, Carrick would love nothing more than to wake Ava by sinking inside her. But he thought about what they shared last night. It was beyond incredible. Opening themselves up to that again would be nothing but trouble. Carrick was convinced they could never have a future together. He was confident his heart would stay hardened and he would be able to walk away when all was said and done. And he knew Ava’s heart would be broken, particularly if they continued to give in to their desire for each other.
It would never just be sex for Ava. It would always be a reflection of love. Every time they shared any type of intimacy, Ava would translate that into love. And Carrick was afraid she would be hurt all the more. It was best, Carrick was sure, to resume a more distant relationship with her so she could begin to understand there was no future for them together.
Needing to prepare for their visit to Hephastus, Carrick gently shook Ava’s shoulder until she opened her eyes. She smiled at him with those sleepy, sexy eyes of hers, and raised her arms above her head to stretch.
“Good morning.”
Carrick ignored the way her stretch pulled her breasts up high. Well, tried to ignore it. “Come. We need to get ready to leave for the Rosethorn Mountains.” Carrick climbed over Ava and headed into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
***
Well, so much for having a morning round of Carrick, Ava pouted to herself. Rising out of bed, Ava cleansed herself and dressed. By the time she was done, Carrick was out of the bathroom, fully dressed as well.
There was an awkward moment where Ava looked at Carrick, trying to gage how he was feeling, but he pushed past her and walked into the kitchen. Aaahhh… we are back to being distant, are we?
Over a quick breakfast, Carrick outlined their travel arrangements. Ava assumed they would cast evanesce recreo to Avery, which was a town that sat in the middle of the Rosethorn Mountains. Both of them had been to Avery before. From there, they would be able find Hephastus. But Carrick didn’t like that idea because they would not be able to carry anything with them. Carrick didn’t trust Hephastus and wanted to be loaded with weapons and other magical supplies if the need arose.
Carrick assured Ava he wasn’t too worried about Ralina’s troops attacking since they were moving farther away from Kestevayne as they traveled toward the Rosethorn Mountains. As such, Carrick felt comfortable in traveling alone. Well, somewhat alone. He was commanding a small regiment of fifty soldiers to follow them at a distance. He figured if his men left at least a half a day after he and Ava, then they would be in close enough proximity to help if they ran into any trouble. He also didn’t want to show up at Hephastus’ door with what looked like an army. He didn’t think it could be conducive to open talks.
The journey to the Rosethorn Mountains would only take two days by horse, so it was fairly easy to pack provisions they would need. A
va made arrangements for Bing to stay with Sam and his aunt so she didn’t have to worry about him while she was gone. Finally, Carrick asked Kieran to travel to Croyden and make arrangements with Sorin to bring his troops under Kestevayne command. He wanted to set into motion the means by which they could congregate their entire army. This was particularly so if they were able to learn something useful from Hephastus that would allow them to lead an attack on Ralina.
Vyronas’ pink sun was just tipping over the horizon when Carrick and Ava headed out of Clairmont. Greta and King were loaded with food and spell casting materials, and Carrick was dressed in full battle gear. Ava thought he looked beyond amazing. Ava decided to dress practically and had on her standard western wear, minus her Stetson hat. She had not thought to bring that to Vyronas with her, but the rays of the Vyronasian sun weren’t harsh on either the eyes or the skin.
The morning wore on and most of it was spent with a heavy silence hanging between Carrick and Ava. Ava was not having any regrets, nor was she feeling any insecurity about last night. Carrick had told her before that he had nothing to offer but a casual fuck. What a dumbass!
Last night may have been considered a great fuck, but it was filled with love and desire. Ava could feel it pouring off Carrick. He just wouldn’t admit it. Ava was hoping with two days together, and alone, she might be able to talk some sense into him.
Rather than hit him with love talk so early, she tried to get conversation going for more details on what had been happening for the last four years. Carrick filled her in on various plans and strategies they had tried.
Originally, they had tried storming Kestevayne once they had the other four Royal families’ allegiance. It was a failure as Ralina’s use of dark magic had driven them back. They found that Ralina didn’t have enough human bodies to outnumber the Kestevayne loyalists, so she used blood magic to create her own troops in the form of evil abominations. The Erchras that had been sent to The First Dimension to capture Ava had been only one example of these creations.
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