But he just tsked, gripping the hem of her tunic and yanking it up. She sucked in a breath as warm air skated across her peaked tips, sending a wave of gooseflesh over her skin.

“I thought you said my body was the least of your worries,” she said, clenching the blankets to keep herself from grabbing at him.

“I know when to offer comfort and when to offer pleasure, Veralie. Your body speaks to me, and I listen.” He lowered his eyes to her exposed breasts. “It helps that you also look less like a drowned rat now.”

“You’re such a fucking assho—oh, fuck.”

Jaren held one of her breasts cupped in his hand and sucked her nipple deep into his mouth, his unshaved jaw abrasive against her skin, while his other hand slid between their pressed bodies.

She bucked, no longer caring about him being right. She’d had no idea his mouth on her breasts would ignite so many nerve endings, and she felt really fucking needy.

She buried her hands into his hair, fisting the thick strands and rotating her hips in an attempt to find any bit of friction against his unmoving fingers.

He raised his head, pulling on her nipple until it popped free of his mouth, then flicked it with his tongue. Once. Twice. She groaned, yanking at his roots, and ground faster. But he just pinned her hips to the bed, moving his lips to her other breast and murmuring against her skin.

“Say please, Veralie.”

Snapping her eyes open, she stopped her erratic motions and dug her nails into his scalp. Bastard.

“You haven’t earned me begging, green eyes.”

JAREN

Gods, he loved when that fiery temper got the best of her. She was beautiful all the time, but when her body tightened and her cheeks heated with irritation, she was fucking stunning. If she wanted to run her mouth, he certainly wouldn’t stop her. It only made him harder.

“And what will you do when I earn it?” he asked, brushing his tongue over her in teasing flicks. “Will you beg me to fuck you, little star? Because if memory serves me right, you’ve already done that.”

He could practically hear how hard she was grinding her teeth together. “I’d rather take your beloved dagger and shove the handle right up your—”

Taking her now-swollen tip between his teeth, he bit down, grazing his canines against her skin right as he finally slid his fingers through her wet heat.

Her words cut off, a cry breaking from her lips, and he hummed. Much better. He dragged his fingers back up, gathering her arousal and rubbing it onto her clit in slow, tantalizing circles.

Fuck, she was already so ready for him. All it would take was a little play, a little stretching, and even untouched as she was, her body would swallow him in one go. He’d fit fucking perfectly when he finally slammed home inside her. The temptation was driving him mad.