Page 173 of Sands of Atonement

“Wow. This is what I imagined heaven would be like,” I muttered and petted a black-striped brown kitten that jumped off the balcony edge. Its tiny purrs encouraged me to continue as it brushed its head and little body against my leg. The kitten pranced into the room while I walked to the balcony wall.

“Mmm, I agree,” Ezra said in a low, husky tone before he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. His lips lowered behind my ear and teased his tongue around, and I let out an uncontrollable giggle. I was able to wriggle myself out of his hold.

“Do you come here on business often?”

“More than I would like to. It was difficult to see Kavid after all these years. Every time I stepped foot in this goddamn city, I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking of that night.” His eyes turned distant as he looked out into the enclosed garden. “If only I had kept you hidden with me.”

“You can’t think like that. I mean, it made sense why he kept me. What kind of business would Kavid do with you?”

“He wants some land from the West Coast of Tehara. He’s been arguing it since he’s become Qahl.”

“Isn’t that where the Atrove is?”

“Yes. For now, anyway, I’m considering moving it. It’s not safe nor smart to be in the same place for too long, and it’s been there for two generations.”

Looking up from the garden, I caught his eye. I could barely see the gold in the midst of his dark pools.

“What is it?” I breathed. I knew that look on him now. It was intense, passionate, and nothing could stop him from taking what he wanted when he took a step toward me.

By habit, I took a step back and braced myself.

With each step, he enunciated his next words to me. “You are equal to me in every way that matters, Eshe.” He placed his hand at the back of my neck and pulled me to his warm lips.

I melted in the strength of his arms, and his tongue swept into my mouth, heating my entire body. He was everything I needed and more.

There was a time not long ago that he preached that women had no business in politics. No business in training to fight, no business in learning anything besides motherhood. And there was a time not long ago that I would have never thought I could be happy or in love with a man like Ezra, who I thought to be controlling and arrogant, but here we both were wrapped in each other’s arms, madly in love with one another.

Ezra lifted me up to the stone wall of the balcony and stepped between my legs, where I sat. His hands pressed on my hips, pulled me roughly forward, and I gasped when I felt his length between me.

“Is this what happens when I talk politics?” I pulled his hair so I could see into his deep eyes. I could feel his shudder against the peak of my breasts.

“It’s every time you open that mouth of yours.” His gaze lowered to my lips, and a yearning sensation pooled below my core. I bit my lip, but as I released it, he had it between his teeth.

Before I could retort, his hands worked around my thin robe that lay over my dress, flinging it off me and onto the floor of the balcony. He plucked a strap of my dress with his fingers and yanked it down as he captured my mouth again. My breast tightened even more with the breeze that circulated the small private garden around us, and all I could think about was his mouth and what it could do.

I never thought life could be this beautiful. I never thought that he could be mine after all these years, that he could ever possibly love me.

That he could love me like this.

His hot mouth trailed down my neck. Because he was so tall, he lowered my back over the balcony but kept his arms around me so I wouldn't fall off.

I could say that I was scared he’d let me go and that I’d meet my death, but that would be a lie. I trusted him with my life.

He kissed the center of my chest, trailing to my breast, biting what was exposed, and my voice echoed in the balcony. My hips moved along his body and strength, begging and craving for more.

I loved the feeling of my life in his hands.

I loved that he held it and caressed it. I fully trusted him.

He lowered me an inch further, and my fingers curled around his head once more. Now with one arm around me, he pulled my other strap lower and lower.

An unnatural growl escaped his mouth as he feasted on me.

He yanked me back, and my body slammed onto his chest before he carried me back inside. Dropping me onto the bed, my body sank into the plush bedding. My hot cheek cooled against the sheets for a moment before Ezra was above me without a piece of clothing on him. My body was now fully charged with intoxication by the sight of him. My lips pulled apart.

My dress pooled around my waist, and I could see it in his eyes as his hands wrapped around my fabric⁠—

“No! Don’t ruin another dress, Ezra. I love this one.”