When Ash Falls (London Fairy Tales #4)(39)
Author: Rachel Van Dyken

The carriage was charged with such thick tension that Sofia was afraid to breathe. “And you consider yourself an adequate judge of passion? Having experienced it so much in your own life?”

Ash’s tongue slid across his lips. He didn’t answer, simply knocked on the ceiling of the carriage. It pulled to a stop.

Sofia glanced out the window to see if they’d reached their destination, but Ash quickly pulled both coverings, blanketing them in darkness.

“I guess you’ll have to be the judge of that,” he whispered. “All things considered… I haven’t even given you a taste. The scientist in me wonders… what will happen when you have a small bite?”

Chest heaving, Sofia fought to catch her breath. “There’s only one way to discover the answer to that question.”

Ash’s hand shot out and grabbed Sofia’s arm. He pulled her across the carriage and into his lap. “Straddle me.”

Shaking, she carefully sat, legs on either side of his, her skirt hiked up near her knees. Indecent did not even begin to describe her positioning. The man could see her ankles, stockings, and at least one knee.

“Kiss me.”

Sofia gasped. “But—”

“Be a good student, Princess… and let me teach.”

Nerves took over as she slowly gripped the sides of his perfectly sculpted face and leaned in. Her lips grazed his carefully at first, and then for some reason, perhaps it was her vulnerable positioning or just the conversation they’d been having, a slow heat built in her core, making her want to press her body so tightly against his that she wasn’t sure where hers ended and his began.

“That’s it,” Ash encouraged, his mouth working softly against hers. “Passion exists, but, Princess, you have to be brave enough to take it.”

“Brave or stupid?” Her lips trembled as they pulled back from his.

Ash gripped her hips and slid her harder against his body. “A bit of both, Princess. Madness combined with passion is always a bit stupid — but oh so enjoyable, don’t you think?” And then the man attacked her mouth. There really was no other way to describe it. His tongue pushed past her lips and plunged inside, driving out every single doubt she’d had about making their arrangement. His fingers danced along her collarbone and rested against her breasts until he cupped them. With a groan, her head fell back. His lips found her neck and moved lower. Her body built with need, a need he wasn’t satisfying. Not yet.

“More,” she demanded.

“Of?”

“Just…” Sofia whimpered. “More… please?”

“Show me.” His voice was a whisper. “Show me what you want.”

“I don’t—” Sofia found his hands and ran them down the front of her body, resting at her hips. “I don’t know. I just need—”

“This.” He gritted his teeth and gently pushed her backward until she was leaning against her own seat, and he was on his knees in front of her, sliding his hands up her legs, his tongue following each touch of his fingertips. When he reached the inside of her thigh, she was too hot, too wanton to feel embarrassed, just… needy, so needy she thought she’d die.

The whiskers along his jaw grazed her soft skin. She let out a moan and gripped his shoulders.

A knock sounded at the carriage door.

Ash jerked back. “What is it?” His teeth were clenched, his face flushed.

“Sorry, er, Lord—”

“Billings, just spit it out.” Ash shifted in his seat as if uncomfortable. Then again, they’d just been about to make love on a street, in a carriage. Sofia fought to keep her hands pinned at her sides so she wouldn’t cover her face.

“’Tis a busy street.” The footman coughed. “And the carriage was rocking a bit. After a few stares, I decided to see if you were… well.”

“No,” Ash said in a dark voice. “Not anymore.”

“Apologies.”

“The park.” Ash pinched the bridge of his nose. “Take us to the park and be quick about it.”

No more talking commenced.

Once the carriage jolted forward, Ash opened his mouth then closed it again. He bit down on his lower lip and leaned forward. “It seems our lesson will have to wait.”

Sofia smirked. “So you plan to keep me wanting all day?”

“But of course…” Ash grinned. “If it helps, I shall suffer right along with you.”

“And when… when will the suffering end?” she asked in a weak voice. Please say as soon as possible.

“When you marry, of course.” His face darkened as he jerked his attention to the floor. “Where it is supposed to.”

“And if I want it to end before then?”

Ash smiled sadly, his eyes haunting as he glanced back up at Sofia. “Then I would have to say no.”

“Am I not…?” She almost choked on the words. Was he rejecting her?

“You are…” Ash’s eyes brightened briefly. “…you are… perfect. Simply perfect… and you shall stay that way until you are married.”

Sofia crossed her arms and leveled Ash with a stare. “Pity.”

His smile was sad. “It truly is.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

I have made a lapse in judgment, and for that, I will never forgive myself. —The Grimm Reaper

ASH TRIED DESPERATELY TO act normal during the afternoon outing at Hyde Park, if normal consisted of an abhorrent amount of indecent thoughts about pressing Sofia against the nearest tree and claiming her as his.

He looked away from the tree.

Grass. One could look at grass without arousing oneself to painful proportions or gaining curious stares from the nearby geese.

Then again, grass was a flat surface, quite comfortable, easily used if one found a secluded corner and— Damn. He needed to gain control and fast.

“Thank you.” Sofia lifted her head heavenward and smiled.

“Are you thanking me for the rescue or the carriage ride?”

Sofia’s cheeks tinged red as she glanced away from Ash. “Both.”

His grin was about as unstoppable as the cursed London rain. “My pleasure.”

“And mine.”

He tilted his head back and let out a bark of laughter.

“My, my,” a male voice said. “I never thought I’d see the day when the great Grimm Reaper would find anything amusing, let alone a dreary London day.”