*** There is no progress in the story. You could skip the chapter if you don't want to read smut. ***
Walking toward the bed, Alaric grabbed her by the waist, pulling her against him as his mouth found hers in a kiss that stole her breath, rough with want, desperate, as he had finally crossed a line he couldn't uncross.
He laid her down on the bed, not rough, but not exactly gentle either. Her body bounced lightly against the mattress, a startled gasp slipping from her lips as her eyes snapped to his, wide, locked onto him like gravity had shifted beneath them both.
And then he looked at her, really looked at her, and the heat in his eyes sent another ripple of fire through her.
The scarlet dress clung to her body like it had been stitched to test his patience. The thin straps kissed the curve of her shoulders, the fabric hugging every line of her figure.
His throat tightened as his eyes dragged over her, slow, deliberate, hungry.
