Page 118 of Elemental Becoming

But eventually, the world creeps back in.

The soft swell of music from the orchestra coming across the grand balcony. The distant murmur of voices at the edges of the ballroom.

And just like that, reality settles around us once more.

“We should go back in,” Thane murmurs softly, pressing a kiss to the tip of my nose. “I’m sure the guests are wondering where the Warlord and Spiritborn disappeared to.”

I smile faintly. “Do we have to?”

Leaning in, I press my lips to his neck. Unhurried. Soft. I trail kisses along his throat, lingering just long enough to feel the way his pulse jumps beneath my mouth.

Thane groans, his eyes falling shut.

“Amara, darling,” he says roughly, “if you keep doing that, I’m going to forget we’re standing outside a ballroom.”

I nip lightly at his ear. “Maybe I want you to.”

Heat snaps tight between us.

I even surprise myself when my hands slide lower, pulling him hard against me. A rough sound escapes him.

Thane growls in my ear.“Here? Now?”

He glides the bridge of his nose along my neck, his breath hot against my skin. A shiver runs through me as his fingers drift lower, teasing, until his hand finds the back of my thigh.

He grips it firmly, lifting my leg over his hip. The crimson fabric slipping higher, pooling where my leg meets my hip, leaving me bare against him.

Thane slides his hand up my exposed leg. His fingers trail over muscle hardened from months of training and sparring, tracing the strength I fought for—the strength he helped me shape.

He stills halfway up my thigh, his eyes widening.

“Amara, darling . . . you have a dagger strapped to your leg.”

I look at him through lowered lashes and smile demurely. “Can’t bring a sword to a ballroom, so I had to improvise.”

Then, just to push him a little further.

“You’ve trained me well.”

He lets out a low, sinful laugh, eyes flashing feral. “I might have to remove it with my teeth.”

His hand continues upward until it settles at my hip. His thumb strokes over the curve of bone, savoring the feel of me beneath his hands.

Desire coils between my thighs and I bite my lower lip.

“I didn’t know you were so wicked,” he murmurs, dark amusement thickening his voice.

His teeth gently drag against the sensitive pulse at my throat, and I exhale shakily against his shoulder. Gods—I want more.

I feel his arousal pressing against me.

He rolls his hips. Gentle.

A question.

“What about the ball?” Thane drawls, lips brushing my ear. One hand stays firm against the small of my back while the other glides up my side with maddening patience.

His hand hovers just beneath my breast, and I inhale sharply as my nipples tighten beneath the thin fabric of my dress. His fingertips lightly brush the curve, featherlight, and my breathing turns shallow, ragged.