“I dinnae ask for yer help!” she repeated furiously, her eyes flashing as they glared into his. “Why do ye even care?!”
“An’ like I just said, I dinnae ask for yers. Why do ye care?!” Alexander demanded, leaning down so close that their noses were almost touching. The world seemed to slow down to a standstill for a moment, the anger transforming inside his belly into a new heat. He was still fueled by rage and indignation, but her body was so close, her lips so plump and fresh and near…
“Why do ye care?” he repeated.
And then her arms were around his neck and his around her waist, lifting her off her feet as they fell into a passionate kiss. All of their frustrations were suddenly channeled through the fierce movement of their mouths and tongues. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and one of his hands moved to curve around her buttocks as he stumbled backward.
“Cicilia,” he mumbled against her lips as he held her in mid-air.
“Quiet yer tongue,” she hissed back, moving her face to kiss the skin just above his beard, then his neck, his ear, and the little sparks of pleasure made his legs so weak that soon he fell back on the bed, bringing her down with him.
She was straddled on top of him on the bed now, and she started impatiently pulling at his shirt, not bothering to be careful to avoid scratching with her nails or pulling at his hair. He tried to help her, but she slapped his hands away, determined to do it herself, and Alexander felt a rush of blood to his groin at the fierce look in her eyes.
I’m so angry. I want her so much.
And then his shirt was gone, and she’d lowered her face to his chest, kissing and sucking and definitely leaving bruises and marks. Alexander shuddered as the pleasure overcame him, but he would not just lay there and let her have her victory. Putting his arms around her back, he twisted and rolled them both so that now he was pinning her.
She was breathing heavily, her hair in disarray and her eyes wide and wild as he dealt with her clothes and removed those that remained on his own body. Then slowly, without breaking eye contact, he knelt at her feet and pulled her legs over his shoulders.
He heard her sharp intake of breath as he found her sweet spot with his tongue, dancing around it, teasing and licking, and sucking. She squirmed under him, gasping. Her hands found his hair, pulling, and the pain of it just fueled his fury and need further.
Cicilia let out a little whimper, and he moved one of his hands, sliding a finger inside her while his mouth worked her delicate spot. It wasn’t too long before he felt her muscles tightening, and she started shaking around him.
Good. Ye’re mine. Mine.
He worked his hand a little harder and his tongue a little more insistently, and he heard her breathing catch then speed, faster, faster, faster…
And then she cried out, her whole body contracting, her hips lifting off the bed. When she finally relaxed, he withdrew his hand and his face. She grabbed at him immediately, pulling him up to meet her, and Alexander was now more than happy to obey.
Clambering on top of her, he entered her almost in a rush, and her nails digging into his backside encouraged it. It didn’t last long, neither of them wanted it to be drawn out. Both thrust furiously, scrabbling at each other’s skin, lips, hands, everything overwhelmed by the sensation as their bodies moved together.
He thought Cicilia cried out again, but just as he was going to confirm it, his own climax came, and he grunted, his hands clenching on the bedsheets as it threatened to take him over entirely.
That part seemed to last forever, a new height of pleasure he didn’t remember before, and then he fell flat on top of her.
They didn’t speak for a long time.
Then, in a low, sleepy voice, Cicilia muttered, “I’m still mad, ye ken.”
“Aye, me as well,” he murmured back. He rolled off and took her in his arms, and she clung to him as they dozed off. People were waiting downstairs, and their problems still existed, but for now…
…for now, there was just each other, and that was enough.
Chapter 23
Alma Soror
Nourishing Sister
Cicilia wasn’t sure how long they had been asleep, but by the time she opened her eyes, the sun was setting. She turned to her side and saw Alexander lying there, his eyes open as he watched her with a small smile on his face.
“Is this how we’re gonnae resolve every argument?” he teased. “Because if so, I’m gonnae have to mess wi’ ye more often.”
She slapped his chest, but lightly, and struggled to her feet. Groping around in the dark for a little, she eventually found the bedside candle, which she lit in order to dress once more. She was just tying her laces shut while Alexander was securing his final shirt fastener when the door opened.
“Ah, good morrow to ye both,” Kitty—or, rather, Catherine—said in a chirpy voice.
“Have ye never heard o’ privacy, Sister?” Alexander grunted.