She sucked in a sharp breath at the bold move, at the way her body seemed to sing with pleasure at the touch. Heat flooded down between her legs and a desperate, pounding ache started up like the beat of a drum inside her.
Hands in his hair again, Ivy urged him down to kiss her. She’d learned a great deal today but all of it had only verified what she knew of her husband already. Here was a good man, a misunderstood man. Like dealing with a wounded animal, she had to take slow steps toward him until they could work together as one.
Gently, she savored the taste of his firm lips and how his fingers tightened their grip on her bottom. Ivy sampled the seam of his lips and the inner corner. A shudder wracked his huge body. She deepened the kiss, not quite able to believe she could have such an impact of this amazing man.
When his tongue met hers, she couldn’t help but release a moan of satisfaction.
Cillian lifted his head to eye her. “Ivy…” Her name was guttural and raw. It only made the sensation inside her inflame.
“Ivy,” he tried again. “If you keep kissing me…keep touching me…I—”
“Yes?”
She braced herself for his retreat and reminded herself to be patient. Reminded herself that this would all be worth it. It had to be. If the man could conjure such feelings within her with a mere kiss and worse, with a mere look, what would it be like when they were finally fully husband and wife?
“I won’t be able to control myself for much longer.”
“I do not wish for you to.”
“You are an innocent, sweeting, and I’m—”
“My husband.” She splayed both hands upon his shoulders. “And I am your wife.”
Ivy didn’t look away, didn’t give into the urge to glance down, and sink into the warmth filling her cheeks. Something about Cillian made her feel stronger. Perhaps it was the knowledge he was there at her side, so strong and determined, but whatever it was, she liked herself around him.
“Ivy—”
“Do not speak again unless you are going to tell me we are to be husband and wife properly.”
Surprise lit in his eye followed by a curve of his lips. No more words came, and he dropped his mouth slowly to hers. She sighed, bunched her fingers into his strong arms, and sank into his kiss.
Every part of her sang with desire. Every part of her begged for more. They’d been nearly here too many times now. Her body knew what it wanted, and she prayed Cillian didn’t change his mind.
He drew back and his eye was darker than normal. Slowly, he turned and dropped onto the chair. She frowned.
“Cillian?”
“Come here.” He took her hand and coaxed her closer, urging her to straddle him. She settled on the chair and drew in a sharp breath when her body met his hard arousal.
He gazed up at her, running his fingers over her face and down her neck.
Eyes fluttering closed, she relished the rasp of his fingers against her skin, relished the way he let one tip linger on the hollow of her neck and across her collarbone. He dipped that finger between her breasts, and she gripped the cool leather arm of the chair, the sensation a contrast to the heat flowing through her body. Her nipples pressed against her stays, and she wished she was free of them so she could flatten herself to his chest and savor his body so close to hers.
She could feel him hot and heavy against his trousers, though, throbbing and desperate with desire for her
Never had she felt so strong and powerful.
Cillian had given her that.
She rocked her hips against him, feeling sparks of pleasure burn deep inside. He hissed her name and pressed his lips to her chest. Head tilted back, she gave herself up to his mouth while she continued to rock.
“Ivy, my God,” he said through clenched teeth while his kisses grew unsteady.
He placed one at the side of her neck, under her ear, to her chin, to her other ear. Her body grew hot and prickly, her movements more frantic. Sweet bliss began to simmer through her. Cillian’s hands found her hips and he urged her on, faster, harder.
Ivy stiffened. A surging wave hit her, then again. It washed through her until she was languid and tingling from head to toe. Cillian urged her to rest against him with a hand to the back of her head and he kissed her forehead whilst she listened to his pounding heartbeat.
“We do not need to do anything more,” he whispered.