Where I was cold before, I'm burning up now.
We're alone out here. No one would know if we made love under the sky atop clover grass that smells so sweet.
His hand travels up my back to my neck and he cups the back of it, lifting my chin with his thumb. His scratchy cheek brushes mine, the pad of his thumb tracing my lower lip. He dips it into my mouth and I suck on the tip lightly. Withdrawing it, he replaces his thumb with his lips.
His kiss is deep and slow, his depths tasting as good as he smells. His velvety tongue explores my mouth, and any bone in my body that wasn't already a wet noodle turns into one. I kiss his plump, soft lips with fervor, needing more of him, wanting to know how otherworldly he moves in bed.
I light up on fire from the inside out, a combination of warm electricity and desire stronger than any physical sensation I've ever experienced. He's growing hard, his arousal long and thick, pressed to my hips. The Shadow Knight's hand leaves my face and travels down my torso. He squeezes one butt cheek and pulls me into him.
My core aches in response.
Breaking away from my mouth, he begins a trail of hot kisses down the side of my face to the sensitive skin of my neck below my ear. Breathlessly, I run my fingers through his hair. I'm standing on the edge of the tower once more, ready to leap off and trust him to catch me. Thrilled, terrified, horny . . . I want to jump, to lose myself completely in his brownies scent, hard body, and warmth.
For the first time in my life, I'm not afraid to take a chance and really feel.
"Honorable or no?" he whispers against my skin.
I'm breathless, my entire being alive and screaming for him in a way it never did Jason. Opening my eyes, I'm struck by how deep the sensations run - and by how nagging one tiny voice remains.
I don't want to disrespect Disney Princess. I also suddenly have the urge not to disrespect me, either, not to settle for being second-rung, no matter how incredible a night in this man's arms might be. I don't want to be a one-night stand, to open my heart and soul to someone I can never have, no matter how much I know he'll do things to me that I'll never, ever forget.
I deserve better.
"I do not disagree," he says before I can voice my response aloud. "You deserve a man I cannot be at this moment."