Chapter Ten

O rion was overwhelmed by his reaction to Evienne. Memories of how he felt when he first saw her had plagued him almost every moment since he arrived. That pull behind his sternum had been bizarre; he didn’t know what to make of it. He thought her beautiful, of course, and her wit and intellect had drawn him in as they spent time together. But he had been attracted to people before, even had feelings for them, without this hypnotic pull on his soul. He desired to be close to her, connected to her, in every way.

His fingers skimmed her lush thighs, taking in their silky feel. He shifted his gaze and was met with a mirror of his own breathless desire in Evienne’s face. All thoughts emptied from his head save one; he would bring his stunning woman pleasure as she had never known before.

She sat astride him, the apex of her thighs exposed to the cool air but obscured from view by the gathered fabric of her skirt. He slid his hands higher, reveling in the warm give of her lush hips. This woman was all roundness and curves, and he was becoming addicted to the feel of her.

He held her gaze as his hands shifted, grazing the delicate lace of her undergarments. He slipped his fingers beneath the fabric and was met with curls of downy hair that were already wet with Evienne’s arousal. Her breath came in pants now, her lovely breasts rising and falling against the constraints of her corset.

An inch lower, and Orion felt the slickness of her core against his fingertips. He let out a breathy moan at the feel of it, moving his fingers around her opening. He felt her legs tense around him as he brushed over her most sensitive bundle of nerves.Orion was captivated by her every breath, her every reaction to his touch.

He rested the base of his forefinger on her most sensitive spot, applying slight pressure; his middle finger joined to make a V shape on either side of her opening, massaging where he knew those nerves spread out beneath her skin.

Evienne moaned softly and began to rock her hips, increasing his pressure. He wanted to feel her cunt pulse around his fingers; he couldn’t wait any longer before he slid a finger inside her.

He worked her clit with his thumb as his finger stroked her inner wall. He added a second and Evienne’s head fell back. She was tight on his hand, slick and swollen. He watched her riding him, his own release building just from staring at her. It was as if he could feel her pleasure as his own. He was overcome with the need to take her, to fill her.

He stopped himself before his thoughts became too unruly; he knew he couldn’t get attached to this woman. He was indulging his attraction to her, but he was in this city for a reason and he couldn’t lose sight of it. Yet every thought fled his mind when Evienne went silent, holding her breath as her inner walls clenched around his fingers.

Her breath left her in a rush, a loud moan escaping her lips as she came. He felt every pulse of her cunt on his fingers as he stroked her through her release.

He slowly withdrew, bringing his hand to his mouth as Evienne stared down at him, breathless. He licked his fingers, and the taste of her had his orgasm crashing into him without warning. He was drowning in her, the feel of her body over his, the pleasure coursing through his veins.

After a moment, his mind cleared enough to process what had just occurred. He had finished in his pants like some besotted school boy, and he found he didn’t even care. He refused to be embarrassed about what Evienne did to him; she was a beautiful woman.

Evienne glanced down, noting the wet spot forming on the front of his trousers, and smiled at him when she realized what he had done. She leaned down to kiss him, tasting herself on his tongue.

His anxiety calmed further when she relaxed against him, resting her head on his shoulder. She seemed to be reveling in the power she wielded over him in this moment. In every moment, if he were to be completely honest with himself. Instinctively, his arms wrapped around her, holding her tight as though he cherished her. Orion was acting on instinct, confused by his own impulses, but too sated and content to fight them.

She was certainly worthy of desire and devotion; she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and seemed to be a force of nature—loyal, and bright, and passionate. But why this instant compulsion? Why did he feel suddenly as if he might die if this woman did not sleep beside him tonight?

The answer hit him with sudden and startling force, and the memory of the strange pull he had felt when he first saw her came rushing back to the front of his mind. He shouldn’t get ahead of himself—it wasn’t possible—but if by some miracle he was right, his whole world was about to turn on its head.

After long moments, Evienne shifted off of his lap and stood. She was flushed, her hair tousled, but she smiled at him.

“Thank you for such a lovely evening, professor,” she said with a touch of laughter in her voice.

“The pleasure is all mine, High Sangviere. Will I see you tomorrow?” He asked, unable to mask the desperation that tinged his voice. He rose from the sofa and stood before her, looking down at her upturned face.

“Maybe,” Evienne said, clearly holding back a laugh.

He offered his arm, and she took it. Orion couldn’t bear to be parted from her just yet, so he asked, “May I walk you to your room?”

She nodded, and they made their way out of the library and through the halls of the palace.

“Will you be able to find your way back to your own room from here?” Evienne asked when they arrived at her door.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine.” He smiled down at her.

“Goodnight, Orion,” she said over her shoulder as she slipped into her room. He watched her go, and all he could think was that after this, after tonight; he would never be the same again.