Chapter 5

Eleanor examined his fine physique, akin to a prized piece of art. Gathering her confidence, she stretched out her hand. She’d started this, after all, so she couldn’t simply just stare at him now.

Ryan flinched when she touched his shirt collar as if he hadn’t expected it. She felt a slight bit of tension leave her. His reaction, like that of a trapped prey animal, was actually somewhat comical. She’d blinded him and tied his hands up as well. She certainly held the reins in this situation.

First... Eleanor slid every button free, and his physique began to reveal itself to her.

He was so perfectly shaped that he could have been carved out of marble by the old masters. His defined collarbones led down to a well-muscled chest, as well as tightly-honed abs that spanned the length of his upper body. His skin was utterly flawless, not even the slightest freckle or scar to mar the smooth surface.

She’d never once wanted to touch a man’s body before, but there was no denying it—she wanted to touch him. She hoped her pounding heart wasn’t audible, and she focused on keeping her breathing under control as she slowly, ever so lightly, touched his body with the end of her fingertips.

Ryan flinched and sucked in a breath as soon as her fingers landed on his chest. She found it amusing the way his muscles contracted, and she let her fingers wander some until she willed herself to be brave and allowed her to touch a part of his chest that looked particularly sensitive. His reaction was much more pointed this time—Ryan bit his already reddened lips and shivered.

So men were also stimulated there. It was fascinating, but so erotic that she felt her own attraction increasing once more.

“Does that feel good?” she asked, nearly purring.

He didn’t reply—instead, a slight blush was spreading across that glorious skin, from the edges of his defined chin all the way down his long neck. It looked as if he were embarrassed.

Eleanor giggled and this time used her entire hand to sweep across his chest. She became more daring as she realized that touching Ryan’s body was an incredibly pleasurable experience. She liked feeling his smooth, taut skin, the little gestures he made, and even the sense that she was doing something rather naughty.

Now she was acting the role of a brazen woman—a woman who was teasing, with her light touches, a man whom every woman in the empire desired to be with. She knew she was teasing him awfully, but it was by far the most exciting, scandalous thing she had ever done in her life.

Eleanor drew back his shirt and continued to stroke his lovely skin. With her fingertips, she traced along the shape of his ribs. Even his bone structure was perfect—so perfect he could have been formed straight from a model.

Sometimes his breath hitched when she brushed past a sensitive area, or his muscles flexed. Whenever he did, Eleanor felt an unfamiliar sensation stirring within her as well, like a lurching wave of heat in her lower body that made her heart beat even faster. It was all new to her, but it didn’t feel bad.

Eleanor was completely absorbed in her exploration when Ryan murmured, “Is this...” He took a deep breath. “Is this the skin connection you spoke of?”

Wasn’t it? She felt a little prickle of guilt, but responded in a casual tone, “What do you think this is?”

“I don’t feel your skin at all,” he pointed out.

“That’s because I can’t release your hands.”

“You don’t have to. Come closer.”

She’d covered his eyes—the most entrancing part of him—but still, his beauty was utterly compelling. Alarms rang in her head, warning her not to do it, but Eleanor didn’t want to withdraw when she’d come so far.

Greater stimulation would cause her greater pleasure, so, wiggling a little to reposition, she drew closer to him. Their knees now nearly touched, and this time it was Ryan who moved first. He leaned his head down and rested it against Eleanor’s shoulder, laying his cheek against the smooth curve of her neck that had been unveiled by her scarf.

Having ascertained the distance between them, he lay still for a moment. Eleanor was enjoying the warmth and the sensation when...

“Ah!”

A soft gasp escaped her, for Ryan had turned his head and brushed his lips against the side of her neck.

“What are you...”

However, her protests didn’t really make it out of her mouth as Ryan then proceeded to intimately lick and suck gently at the exact spot he’d kissed. A tingling sensation, as if she’d been electrified, surged through her body.

What was happening? It was so much more enticing than touching him with her hands. She knew she needed to lean back immediately. However...

“Hold me,” came Ryan’s seductive whisper in her ear. As if entranced, she found herself wrapping her trembling arms around his neck and pressing herself to him.

Their bodies were now flush against each other, and Ryan rained kisses all across Eleanor’s neck, shoulders, cheeks, and even the exposed top of her chest. They drew even closer as his ministrations continued until she somehow found herself sitting in his lap.

In this proximity, she could now undeniably sense his arousal. So he wasn’t a monk after all. Suddenly, she recalled that he had led a life of abstinence up until now, and before florid prose or declarations could escape either of them, she needed to put an end to this. Now.

“Th-this is more than e-enough...” she said, trying her best not to moan, “...p-proof, is it not?”

She said the first words that came to mind, but they were thankfully on the mark. She could feel the searing-hot sensation of the places where their skin had brushed, and, although she couldn’t exactly say what it was, she knew that it made her want to touch him more.

From his reaction, it seemed as if Ryan felt the same. Eleanor felt vindicated by her victory, but for some reason, the count seemed completely unembarrassed.

Instead, he declared, “It is part of a soldier’s training to learn how to escape when they are a prisoner of war.”

Why would he say that in this moment? Eleanor was taken aback, her expression both surprised and confused, and just then, Ryan’s right arm snaked around her waist and held her tight. His hands had been securely tied behind him moments earlier, but now he flexed his fingers, free from his bond, and leisurely pulled up the cravat that was tied around his eyes.

“I shall now use what I’ve learned.”

His smile was so seductive that it sent shivers down her spine, and though Eleanor finally came to her senses and sought to wrench herself free, it was already too late. Try as she might, she couldn’t escape from his iron grip. Ryan lowered her down on her back in a smooth gesture, looking completely unaffected by her struggle.

“Are you afraid?” he challenged, gazing down at her and stroking her cheek with his free hand.

The tables had completely turned—the master had now become the student. But Eleanor, trapped in his arms, didn’t want to admit defeat.

“Why would I be?” she shot back, but her eyes grew wide a moment later as Ryan leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss.

His arm was so firmly around her waist that she had no choice but to accept it. It was devastating—every sensation she’d felt up to this point was swept away in a wave of delirious satisfaction. It was so different from her first kiss. It was intoxicating, and ticklish, and hot, and so soft and sweet that it was driving her out of her mind...

He must be able to feel her heart thundering in her chest now, and Eleanor’s breaths grew ragged, unable to push him away with his rough, incessant kissing.

After tugging at her bottom lip with his teeth, Ryan drew back slightly, only to lean his head once more in the cradle of her neck. He gave an indulgent sigh, and his warm breath tickled her chest, making her feel as if she might be driven out of her mind.

Her constricting corset had never felt as tight as it did now. Ryan lifted his head and saw the desire glinting in her eyes. The corners of his lips twitched upwards, and his hand drew toward the small of her back.

He began fumbling at the delicate strings that tied her corset together, making it clear exactly what his intentions were. They were both swept up in mutual, intense lust, and all Eleanor could think was that she would do anything to quell the raging desire within her.

“But... here?” she asked breathlessly.

They really couldn’t get much further in this study. Though she hadn’t asked a clear question, Ryan looked at her in understanding.

“Beyond that door...” he said, lifting his chin, “...is my bedchamber.”

She wasn’t willing to go that far, though, and every single alarm in her head rang, telling her that this was a line that she must not cross, no matter what. However, it was Ryan’s beauty and intense seductive air that governed her more than anything else in that moment, and her body scarcely heeded the warnings in her head.

Absolutely unable to resist, she turned her head, avoiding his gaze, and lowered her chin coyly. Perhaps Ryan saw that as her acquiescence. He stood up, lifting her into his arms, and strolled through the handsomely carved oak doors into his private chambers.

Ryan gently placed her on top of the enormous bed that flanked the center of the room. To think the day has come when I’d be lying in Ryan Calabria’s bed... She wasn’t sure whether she was thrilled or if she wanted to run away.

In front of her, Ryan shrugged off the shirt that was already half-hanging off of him. When his hands moved to unbuckle his pants, Eleanor couldn’t bear to look any longer. She hastily shifted her gaze, looking anywhere else but at him.

Soon, he approached her again, and their lips were just about to meet once more when...

“My lord? It is time for your meal.”

A voice outside the door made Eleanor nearly shriek with surprise and Ryan’s face flickered in a frown.

“If anyone lingers around this door...” he intoned, the words coming sharply out of gritted teeth, “...until it is morning, then I shall personally cut off their heads.”

The violent threat was enough to ensure a small meep of surprise and the sound of scurrying feet. Even Eleanor was a little frightened of the threat that rolled off the empire’s greatest knight’s tongue. She’d curled slightly inwards, almost shivering.

However, Ryan’s face softened immediately once he turned back to her. As if looking for the right fit, he slanted his lips over hers once more and kissed her deeply, and Eleanor felt his fingers tightening around her corset strings as his lips, and tongue, flicked and pressed against hers.

The sound of slithering silk echoed in the vast chamber, and the material, as soft as a cloud, dropped by the side of the bed. Soon it was only their bare, heaving bodies that lay against each other beneath the blankets.

His muscular body covered her slim figure easily, and, although he was practically bristling with tension, he moved slowly against her. As if he were waiting for something, he held her to him tightly, rubbing against her slightly. His movements were so achingly sensual that Eleanor gave a long inhale of desire, and, after a few moments, realized that he was literally rubbing their flesh together.

His darkly gleaming eyes stared her down, full of anticipation. What if we really end up falling for each other?

She grew anxious at the thought, but he leaned in and whispered, “Eleanor...”

Had she told him her name? But the question was blinked away in the sudden white haze that clouded her mind as he began to fervently kiss her again.

The two of them practically melded together, and she could feel every inch of his body, every bit of his commanding and intoxicating presence. There was only one thing left to bring them closer, and she had no other choice but to surrender.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes, allowing their bodies to fully join.