body felt electrified by his touch. And when he replaced his hand with his mouth, she cried out in total ecstasy.
Aricles could barely catch his breath as his heart pounded furiously in his chest. Never in all his life had he tasted anything sweeter than her body. She sank her hands into his hair, pressing him closer to her while he slowly pleasured her. Over the years, he’d tried to imagine what it would feel like to have a woman, but none of those fantasies could compare to this reality. And it wasn’t just because she was a goddess. It was because he loved her with every part of his being.
There was nothing he enjoyed more than sitting quietly with her, answering her myriad of questions. Even when they were embarrassing and horrifying. She was the only person he’d ever truly enjoyed conversing with. The only one he could sit with for hours and not become bored or irritated.
All of a sudden, her grip tightened in his hair. She threw her head back and cried out as her entire body shook. Closing his eyes and smiling, he savored her even more.
When she finally stopped, she looked down at him. “What did you do to me?”
“It’s called an orgasm, my lady.”
Still breathing heavily, she frowned. “Have you ever had one?”
“No. I’ve only heard my brother and other men speak of them.”
“You need to have one. They’re rather remarkable.”
Laughing, he nibbled his way back up her body to kiss her then he moved away to retrieve her peplos for her.
She scowled at him. “What are you doing?”
“I’m withdrawing while your maidenhead is still intact.”
She sat up to pull him closer to her. “My Ari never withdraws from anything.”
He cupped her precious face in his hand as he tried to make her understand why he retreated now. “I don’t want to cause you any harm.”
“How can loving me cause me harm?”
Still, he had no right to do this. “You deserve better than a backwoods farm boy, my goddess.”
“My Phoenix is a hero and a champion, and while in his heart he’s a farmer, he is not backwoods. And I will not have you insult him.”
He grinned at her words. She always chided him whenever he insulted himself, and then used the battle name the others had dubbed him to remind him that he was more than what he felt in his heart. He didn’t know what it was about her, but she could always make him feel like a king with nothing more than a single glance or a few words.
Leaning back, she pulled him with her. “Now come inside, my lord, and find your pleasure.”
And when she bent her knees and spread her legs for him, he no longer had the ability to deny her request. Cursing himself for his own weakness, he laid his body over hers then gently slid inside.
Bathymaas gasped at the thick fullness of Aricles filling her body. For several heartbeats, neither moved as they stared at each other. She smiled up at him. “I love you, Ari.”
The intensity of those blue eyes scorched her. “I love you, too. With every part of me.” Slow and easy, he began to rock himself against her hips.
Gasping, she moaned at how good he felt. He dipped down to give her a kiss that stole her breath.
She savored the warmth of his body in and around hers as she brushed her hand against the sharp, hard ridges of his abdomen. He was all strength and power.
And best of all, he was hers.
He’d never touched another woman like this. Never shared this part of himself with anyone else. It made her love him all the more.
Suddenly, he quickened his strokes and ground his teeth. An instant later, he growled and shuddered against her.
Her smile widened. “See, I told you.”
He laughed quietly. “And you were very right. It was amazing. I finally understand why my brother is so fascinated by women.” His breathing ragged, he lifted himself up on his arms to stare down at her while they were still joined. “I love you, my goddess, and I swear to you that I will never willingly touch any woman save you.”
She
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