So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)

His face went pale. “Shit.” He plunged into the water and swam toward the left side of the grotto.

That was not the reaction she’d hoped for. With a sigh, she plopped down onto the beach and watched him swim. He was doing laps back and forth from the left wall to the right one, where the rope ladder was hanging. Perhaps he just needed to think. Or work off some tension.

She still needed to persuade him to let her help, but she had a bad feeling that he would not be easily convinced. What she needed was a plan. As he swam, her mind raced with ideas of what she could do.

He finally stopped in front of the ladder, his hands gripping a rope rung while he leaned forward to catch his breath. She followed the sandy path around the pool till it ended with a flat rock that jutted out a few inches above the water.

She settled on the rock, not far from him. Then she lifted her skirt just enough to dangle her feet into the pool. “I can see why you like this place. The water is so nice and warm.”

He scowled without looking at her.

“Are you ready to talk now?” she asked. “I’ve been thinking, and I have a few ideas how—”

“I’ve been thinking, too. You’ll need to stay here on the island.”

“But I have a plan—”

“I will not let you risk yourself.” He turned to face her, the water up to his chest. “You don’t owe me anything. What happened was not your fault.”

“I was used to lure your family to their doom. So I will help you, whether you like it or not.”

“Dammit, Brigitta! Don’t make me force you to stay here!” Another breeze swept through the grotto.

“Then don’t!” She scooted forward till she was sitting on the edge of the rock with her lower legs immersed in water. “You said I had the right to decide my own destiny.”

With a wince, he turned to the ladder and muttered a curse.

“My decision has been made,” she continued. “I expect you to honor that.”

He dragged in a deep breath and turned toward her. “I cannot bear for you to be in danger. And I will not use you to further my cause. When you were a babe, I made a vow that I would protect you.”

Was he still trying to keep the betrothal vows after everything her father had done? Tears collected in her eyes once again. “I was too young then to return the vow, but I can make one now. I will help you regain the throne. And I will earn your trust.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “How could I ever betray you when I’m in love with you?”

His eyes widened with a stunned look.

She sat back, hastily wiping her cheeks. Good goddesses, that was more than she’d intended to confess. Mortified, she pulled her legs out of the water.

His hand shot out to grasp her ankle.

She gasped as a surge of emotion blasted through her body. Desire. Longing. He wanted her. He wanted her something fierce.

He moved closer. “Are you all right? Did you have another vision?”

“Nay, I…” she answered in Eberoni, then switched back to Tourinian. “I didn’t see anything.” Since she knew his identity now, she doubted she would see any more of his memories. But why had she felt his emotions? Normally her gift only worked with things that were hidden.

Of course. The answer clicked inside her. He’d been trying to keep his feelings for her a secret.

“Ack!” she cried out when he suddenly hauled her into the pool. “What are you—”

His mouth clamped down on hers.

She was so surprised she didn’t know what to think or how to respond. With a strangled cry, she broke the kiss. “Wait.” She gasped for air. “Why…?”

He cradled her face in his hands. “You said you loved me.”

Her cheeks grew hot. She could hardly deny her own words. “That doesn’t mean you should—” She glanced down and saw her green skirt up to her armpits, floating around her in the water. “Oh goodness.” She tried pushing it down.

“Allow me.” He pushed the skirt down in the back and fumbled with the drawstring.

“What are you—” She huffed when he lifted the wet skirt over her head and tossed it onto the rock. “I didn’t say you could—”

“This, too.” He quickly unlaced the green velvet vest and dragged it down her arms.

With her arms pinned down momentarily, she glanced down and winced at the wet blouse and shift now molded against her breasts. She ducked down a few inches. “Rupert, I thought we were going to talk.”

“Sweetheart.” He threw the vest onto the rock. “Don’t you know when you’re being ravished?”

Her mouth fell open. “I don’t recall agreeing to that.”

“Then I’ll ask.” He pulled her tight against him.

Her hands landed on his bare chest, then she withdrew them a few inches, curling them into fists.

“Brigitta.” He cupped his hand around the back of her head while he planted soft kisses across her brow. “Sweetheart.” The tip of his nose glided down her cheek, then he nibbled a path to her ear.

She shivered, and her hands slowly uncurled.

He nipped at her earlobe, then whispered, “Would you like to be ravished?”

Her knees grew weak, so she grabbed on to his shoulders.

“Is that a yes?” His nose brushed back across her cheek toward her mouth.

“I-I’ll consider it.”

“Take all the time you need.” His mouth took hers, gently savoring and coaxing her until the world swirled around her, and time seemed to slow to a halt.

All that was left was Rupert. His mouth against hers, sweetly molding her and making her melt. His hands touching her neck, stroking her back, and sending delicious shivers along her spine. His chest pressed against her, making her breasts feel so achy and full that she finally gave in to a desperate need building inside her. With a moan she rubbed her breasts against his chest.

He groaned against her mouth. His hand moved down her shift all the way to her rump, then he pulled her hard against him.

She gasped as something hard jabbed at her. But as soon as her mouth opened, his tongue slipped inside.

“What?” She pulled back. “What was that?”

His eyes glimmered with a golden heat. “Shall we continue with the ravishing?”

“I…” Did he intend to do more than a passionate kiss? “Are you planning to do more strange things with your tongue?”

His mouth twitched. “Definitely.”

“I—” She glanced down. “I think there’s something in the water. A turtle, perhaps. I’m afraid it’ll bite me.”

“It’s a damned cock. It doesn’t bite.”

She inhaled sharply. That was him? Her cheeks blazed with embarrassment.

“Would you like to investigate for yourself?” He took her hand from his shoulder.

“No!” She jumped back, pulling her hand away. “I mean, I’m not ready…” She paused when she realized his gaze was riveted to her chest. Unwittingly, she’d moved into shallower water, and now her breasts were showing. Her wet blouse and shift were glued to her skin, the nipples tight and protruding.

“Come here,” he growled, pulling her back into another kiss.