Page 182 of Rite of Unity

I wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.My skin was hot, flushed everywhere his hard body pressed against mine.The nearly sheer fabric of my gown let me feel every groove, every button and buckle of his clothing.

He cupped my backside, hefting me off my feet.

I wrapped my legs around him, sucking his tongue between my teeth and groaning as he walked me backward; the motion sent a delicious friction sparking some great need between my thighs.

His lips left mine, trailing the right side of my face.They were light and gentle, hovering over my ear, hot breath making goosebumps erupt along my arms.

“Tell me if you want me to stop.”

In answer, I wrapped my legs around his waist, tipping my head back.

He sank onto the bed, lowering me with him, his laugh soft against my neck as his kisses moved south.His weight settled over me, one thigh pressed between mine, sliding up slowly until heat burned my center.

"Maryn," he groaned against my collarbone.

I reached for his face, pulling him back to my lips.

His knee lifted, the warmth between my thighs evaporating, and I stilled, eyes flying open.

Elias’s blue eyes pierced me, gaze burning through me.There was a question there, one I didn’t hesitate to answer.

“Yes, Elias.Yes.”

He smiled, a boyish grin flashing across his face as he lifted off the bed, unbuttoning his shirt.It was painfully slow, and the heat at my center threatened to burn me alive.

He tossed the shirt on the floor, climbing back onto the bed.His gaze was hungry as it ran down my body, lingering on two pebbles painfully hard under white fabric.

He looked up, silently seeking my permission once more, and I reached for him, fisting a handful of his hair in my palm and dragging him toward me.His lips found mine, rougher this time, sucking and licking, but in moments they were moving again, trailing down my neck and chest.

He sucked a nipple through the fabric, gently biting down on tender flesh.

An explosion of heat burst to life between my legs.I moaned, tightening my grip on his hair.

His other hand found my breast, cupping it before twisting the nipple between two fingers.The sensation made my whole body flush hot and cold at the same time.

His mouth left my breast, even as his hand continued twisting and flicking the bud through my dress.Hot breath blazed over my ribs, my stomach, straight to the center of my focus.He exhaled against my skin, and the warmth of his breath, even through the fabric, made me shiver.

I lifted onto my elbows, releasing his hair.I had never been worshipped before.

Never, even on the nights I touched myself, had my body come alive like this.

His hands moved, one sliding up the inside of my thigh, tugging fabric with it until it disappeared under my dress.

My entire body shuddered as the pad of his thumb traced the shape of my body, finding the seam between my legs and lightly running the length of it.

He looked up.“Okay?”

I nodded, biting my lip to keep from begging for more.

I didn’t have to say the words, though.In moments, soft fingers slid inside me, curling and twisting in a slow circle.I gasped, my head tipping back, eyes closing as all my focus zeroed in on his fingers between my legs.

Hot breath through the fabric, then his tongue against the sensitive nerves at the apex of my thighs.

“Elias,” I cried.

His fingers curled, stroking the inside of my walls faster.

A cry erupted from me before I knew why.My knees began to shake.