Free Threads of Desire by Eleri Stone

surrender.
    “It’s curious to me that you’re a better man than you let the world see. You’re generous and kind.”
    “You’ll ruin my reputation, Ily, with this talk.”
    He lifted his cup from the table and took a deep draw of his rich wine before meeting her gaze again. This was the Kal she’d met at the marketplace, completely in control of himself and—in truth—of everyone around him. They were still unbalanced. She asked and he gave everything. She wanted to give something back to him.
    He lifted his goblet to his lips but nearly dropped it when she rose smoothly to her feet and pulled the tie of her robe loose, letting the cool silk fall from her shoulders and whisper to the ground. His face grew intent, his eyes hungry, as she paced around the low table to sit on its edge. The dishes had been cleared, but oil lamps still burned on either side of her.
    He’d told her once that he wanted her like this. That he’d spent that first night they’d dined together wanting to eat her instead. She spread her legs and leaned back on her braced arms. Slowly, carefully, he set aside his drink and came to her. He gripped her knees, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Rael is beside the door. Tasha will come soon to light the other lamps.” His gaze dropped to her breasts, her belly, lower. His nostrils flared slightly and his eyes hooded.
    “I’m sure.”
    He came to his knees and undid the ties of his breeches. Otherwise, he remained clothed as he wedged himself between her thighs. He braced his arms to either side of her, swept her with another hungry gaze and looked her in the eyes. “You’re beautiful, Ily.”
    She knew he believed so, knew he was surrounded by beautiful women, wealthy, young beautiful women who fawned over him. But she was the one who was here beneath him now.
    His hot, damp mouth tasted her throat and she moaned. He’d learned all of her most sensitive spots, showed her more every day. But he didn’t need to seduce her. She’d been planning this all evening as she watched him eat. Her thighs were wet with wanting. Her skin flushed. Her nipples peaked. And he was lingering over her. A summer breeze when she wanted monsoon.
    “Please.”
    A shudder ran the length of his body. He lowered his mouth to tongue her nipple. She dropped her head back as he took his cock in his hand and guided himself inside her. He yanked her hips forward so she was barely sitting on the edge of the table. But it didn’t matter. His hands held her steady as he fell into a powerful driving rhythm. She watched him. She liked that he was clothed, wearing his finest while she was spread on his table with nothing to cover her but his hands and body. He pulled her hard against him and her arms went out from under her. She started to push herself up, but he forced her down by moving over her. Bracing his arms to either side of her body and staring down.
    “Touch your breasts. I want your nipples hard.”
    His voice was rough and she did as he asked, kneading at her breasts and then rolling her nipples between her fingers.
    “Harder.”
    “Harder,” she echoed, and he rammed into her, deep and sure.
    From the shadows, someone dragged in a heavy breath.
    Kal heard it too. He smiled, arched his back and kissed her breast while he continued to fuck her in tight, shallow strokes. All of her attention focused on remaining very still so he didn’t slip away. He bit her and she jerked. His cock slipped out, plunged back in. She was close and she locked her legs around his waist. He brushed the hair from her face and kissed her temple, the side of her nose, occasionally whispering her name over her skin.
    She liked the way her name sounded on his lips and thought he might like the same. Pressing her mouth to the soft lobe of his ear, she whispered, “Kal.”
    He groaned, moved his weight to one arm and reached the other between their crashing bodies. He found the slick knot with his fingertips, circling her