Playing With Fire - Katie MacAlister [46]
Tears pricked at the back of my eyes. I seldom cried, unlike Cyrene, who wept at the drop of a hat, but the thought that Gabriel would go to the immense trouble of trying to free me from Magoth touched my heart in a way I did not know was possible. ‘‘You’d do that for me?’’ I asked in a breathy voice.
His eyes promised so much. ‘‘I will move the heavens and earth if you so desire.’’
The romantic moment was almost too much to bear, but I would not be Cyrene’s twin if I did not bring forth all the common-sense arguments against an instant relationship. ‘‘Can’t I accept you and your sept without us having sex?’’
A slow smile pulled up the corners of his mouth. ‘‘Yes. But it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.’’
Chapter Ten
‘‘I owe you much this first time, but unfortunately, I may not be able to show you the tenderness and gentleness you deserve,’’ Gabriel murmured into my collarbone as his fingers deftly stripped my upper body of shirt and bra.
I shivered as the chilled air hit my fevered skin, then gasped as my breasts, heavy and sensitive with wanting, brushed against his chest when his hands slipped lower, tugging off my pants. I rose to my feet, kicking off the pants, watching with increasing concern as he shucked his own sleeping pants.
‘‘I’m short,’’ I said, looking up as he stood naked in front of me.
His lips twitched. ‘‘I wouldn’t say short. ‘Petite’ was the word that first came to mind.’’
‘‘Yes, but . . .’’ I stared in dismay at his penis. It was slightly darker than the rest of him, possessing all of the usual attributes, but also startlingly . . . well, large. ‘‘You’re much taller than me. At least a foot.’’
A lovely soft chuckle twined itself around me. He took my hand and wrapped it around himself. ‘‘We will fit, do not fret, little bird.’’
‘‘I’m not fretting. I’m just concerned.’’
"I assure you that in this regard, I am no different from any other man."
I narrowed my eyes at his penis. ‘‘You don’t have to patronize me. I’ve seen naked men before. I’m no stranger to sex, either, just not with a man.’’
‘‘I would not dream of patronizing you. Would you like me to lie down so that you may explore my body?’’
‘‘I have toys,’’ I told his penis, rather enjoying the heat of it in my hands. Since he invited me to do so, I allowed my fingers to explore the scenery. The results confirmed my suspicions. ‘‘I can say in all confidence that none of them even approach this level of . . . er . . . girth. I know women are built to accommodate all sorts of sizes and shapes, but there has to be a limit, Gabriel. And with the difference in our body sizes . . . well . . .’’
‘‘May.’’
I dragged my gaze off his nether regions up to his face. ‘‘What?’’
‘‘Are you stalling?’’ he asked, his eyes alight with amusement.
‘‘Is it that obvious?’’
‘‘Yes. But I understand. You are nervous. You are not sure you are ready to commit to this. And I wish I could give you the time to become comfortable with the idea of being my mate, but this is a time of war. I must claim you tonight.’’
‘‘You’re aroused,’’ I blurted.
‘‘Yes, I am.’’
‘‘But we just met. I’m not aroused.’’
His arms slid around me, his head lowering to the breast nearest him, his mouth hot on a suddenly aching nipple as he took it into his mouth, lashing it mercilessly with long, soft swipes of his tongue. The sensation lit fires all over my body, causing my back to arch. A low moan of sheer pleasure ripped from my throat as I clutched his shoulders. ‘‘Oh, dear god. All right, I take it back, I’m aroused! Do the other one!’’
I moaned when his mouth descended on my waiting breast, my hips moving urgently against him as I squirmed with the odd mixture of pleasure and pain when he sucked the nipple.