Free Flickering Light (Return To Avalore Book 0) by Elianne Adams Page B

weren’t named mates after all, but she was beyond caring anymore. She wanted this—for her.
    His shoulders tensed beneath her palms even as his lips continued their assault.
    “I… I want you. No talking. No thinking. Just you.”
    Clay took Barbara’s mouth with a savagery he couldn’t contain. The gryphon inside him clamored for release, demanding he possess her. She was safe in his home, in his arms, and he couldn’t get enough. He kissed down the column of her neck, and back again, nipping at her delicate jaw. He devoured her, and what’s more, he didn’t want to stop. He needed to get lost in her passion, in her warmth. Needing more contact, he pulled the wrap from her shoulders and tossed it aside, not caring whether it landed on the nearby chair or the floor next to it.
    He skimmed over her body, the heat of her skin heating his palms through the thin fabric covering her back. What in Goddess’ name had she worn? Pulling back, he took the sight of her in. Her long fiery tresses fell to cover her chest, and he couldn’t help but sweep them over her shoulders to clear his view. The only thing keeping her from his hungry stare was a thin white nightdress hugging the curves of her breasts and hips. The darker circle of her nipples, visible through the delicate fabric, puckered under his gaze. Closing his eyes, he took several deep breaths before looking at her once more. “I need to see you. Just this once, I’d like to feast my eyes upon your body.”
    Her breasts rose and fell with her quick breaths, drawing his attention again. Though he had never seen the perfection of her body, he’d dreamt of it many times. He had wanted this woman for so long, and tonight, if she desired it, he would have her, all of her. She took a step back, putting a little more distance between them before taking the gown by the hem and lifting it free of her body. “Now you.”
    The soft lilt of her voice added to the madness invading him as he saw his heart’s desire bared before him. He couldn’t think. His dreams didn’t come anywhere near the beauty before him. Her rosy nipples peaked and ready, begged for attention. He longed to taste them, draw the buds into his mouth and suckle until she writhed beneath him.
    She closed the space between them, and when he still didn’t move to remove his clothes, she slid her hands up his chest. With a feral growl, she twisted her fingers between two buttons, gripped the edges tight and pulled. The soft plink of the buttons sounded loud as they hit the floor. Her eyes widened, and he couldn’t help but smile. The animalistic display had his heart racing and his beast struggling to get to hers. Too long had her dragon been silent.
    If tonight was all they’d ever have, he wanted it all. He let her pull the shirt from his shoulders, dropping it to the floor at their feet before pulling her close again. Her full breasts pressed against his chest, and it was all he could do to keep from taking her right there in the front foyer of his house. He brought his hands down her back to her bottom, drawing her against his hard length again. She shimmied against him with a small moan. “Take the rest off,” she whispered, before licking at the tender skin behind his ear.
    Clay took her mouth again in a wild mating of tongues, leaving them both breathless. He nipped at her lips, easing the sting with his tongue before plundering her mouth again and again. By the time he’d moved them from the entry to his room, his clothes were gone, left scattered along the way.
    “Are you certain this is what you want? Goddess help me, if it’s not, I will find a way to stop.” And he would. He didn’t know how, but he would not take what she wasn’t willing to give. His body shook with restraint as he brought her down to the bed, holding his weight on his elbows on either side of her. She’d never hinted at wanting the Elders to name her mate. Hadn’t alluded to wanting more, and he hadn’t pushed