Alaric's hands slid lower, pressing against the curve of her back as he held her closer. The warmth of his touch burned through her skin, and she shivered at the rough strength in his grip.
Her breath hitched when his lips left her mouth and traveled down the side of her neck. Each kiss was slow, deliberate, sending waves of heat that made her toes curl. She tightened her hold around him, afraid that if she let go, the intensity would fade.
"Alaric…" she whispered, her voice trembling, torn between protest and surrender.
He didn't answer. Instead, his teeth grazed lightly over her skin, making her gasp, before his mouth soothed the sting with another deep kiss. Her head tilted back instinctively, giving him more, while her heart pounded as if it might burst.
The rhythm of his breathing matched hers, heavy and uneven, until every sound and movement between them blended together. Her body betrayed her completely now—every pulse, every tremor urging him on.
