Into the Fading Twilight (Starlight Grove, #2) (78)

Two tiny divots hollowed out Kol’s jaw. “You need it more right now.”

“Kol.”

“And I want to give it to you.”

Everything hurt. What Kol was gifting me …

“Okay,” I whispered.

His knuckles skimmed across my cheek again. “Think you’ll be able to talk me through how you’re feeling as we go? If anything’s approaching too much or you want to stop?”

I didn’t look away as I answered him. “You’ve always been the one I could tell anything to.”

The hard lines of Kol’s face softened. “Trusting that. Trusting you.”

And God, I knew what that meant for Kol. Something he never gave anyone but his family. And he was giving it to me.

Kol dropped the rope onto the bed, and his fingers moved to the top button on his flannel.

“Can I?” The words were out before I could stop them, bolder than maybe I felt in the moment, but I went with it anyway.

Kol didn’t say a word, but his hands dropped to his sides. I moved in instantly, my fingers trembling slightly as I unfastened the top button. A dusting of dark hair peeked out from beneath the fabric. It teased my fingers as I moved to the next button.

Each unfastening revealed a little more. Golden skin and muscle that wasn’t overly manufactured but real. Those dips and ridges came from working a ranch, spending time in the field for work, and building me an apartment.

The shirt fell completely open, and I couldn’t help but run my fingers over Kol’s chest, down to the ridges of his abdominals. His ink. He let out a humming growl, his hands fisting at his sides.

And I knew then just how much it was costing him not to touch me.

But I could give him that. Maybe not in the throes of sex, but I could give him this.

I turned, my back to his front, and swept my hair to the side. “Can you get my zipper?”

Air left Kol on a sharp exhale, one so strong I could feel his breath against the nape of my neck. It sent sparks of awareness skating over my skin.

Kol’s knuckles slid along my spine before his hand rose again. The feel of bone against bone had vibrations cascading over me in the most delicious way. My breath caught as Kol’s fingers gripped my zipper.

“Yes?” he asked, stilling.

“Yes.”

Kol pulled the zipper down, the action so painfully slow I could feel the unfastening of every metal tooth and tine, like tiny bombs detonating against my skin. My mouth went dry, and my breath caught.

His hand stilled where the zipper ended, just at the top of my tailbone. The tipping point. I dipped my shoulders, and the dress fell.

The cool air hit my suddenly bare body, nothing but the delicate lace of a thong standing between Kol and me.

He let out an audible hiss.

Kicking off my boots, I turned to face the man who’d been my safe space since the moment I met him.

Kol devoured me with his eyes. Every flicker and spark spoke of hunger and want. And it made me feel powerful for the first time in a long time.

“Most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. You’re like the moon starting to rise in twilight. You fucking glow, Phoenix. Maybe because you’re made of embers.”

And I felt it. That beauty. Even as my finger traced one of the scars along my ribs.

Kol didn’t miss the movement. “Warrior marks. You made it through the battle to the other side.”

And I felt that, too. Powerful. Strong. I took a step closer. “Touch me, Kol.”

Sparks of light swirled in those dark eyes. “You’re sure?”

“I’ll tell you if it’s too much.” But right now, it felt like I might combust if I didn’t know what it was like to have his hands on me.

Kol lifted his hands slowly, giving me every chance to tell him that I’d changed my mind. But I hadn’t. He palmed my breasts, and I arched into him, relishing the pressure, the feel of his rough skin against my smoothness.

Calloused thumbs circled my nipples, calling them forward. They tightened, right along with my core. Everything in me ached for Kol.

I let out a soft moan.

Kol’s gaze snapped to my face. “More?”

“More,” I breathed.

His head dipped as he crouched slightly. One hand fell away from my breast, and his lips closed around its peak. Then he groaned. He sucked gently, making my body bow. I pressed harder against him as his knuckles skimmed the apex of my thighs.

I let out a strangled sound, and Kol froze.

“More.” The single word was both a plea and a command.

And Kol obeyed.

He stroked me through the lace of my thong, and I moved against him, needing more. His fingers stilled as they pulled the lace to the side, his mouth losing its hold on my nipple. “Yes?”

“Please.” I wasn’t above begging.

Those thick fingers slid under the fabric, through my slick, wet heat.

I gripped Kol’s shoulders, my fingers digging in.

“Give me one right here,” he rasped against my breast. “Let me know what you sound like when you shatter.”

My breaths came in short pants, not because of panic but because I was already so damn close. Two of Kol’s fingers teased my entrance, circling, stretching. As they slid in, his thumb found my clit.

I could barely stay upright. My head dropped back, and I pressed my lips together to stifle my noises.