Kael's breath was heavy, mingling with hers as his lips hovered just above hers. The heat between them was suffocating, a tangible, undeniable force that threatened to consume them both. Lyra could feel her heart thundering in her chest, her pulse racing in a wild, erratic rhythm as her body swayed closer to his.
"You want this?" Kael's voice was a growl, a whisper against the soft curve of her ear. He was so close now, his body hard and warm, pressing against her. His hands rested just above her hips, his fingers flexing as though fighting the urge to pull her tighter.
Lyra didn't trust her voice. Her mouth was dry, her mind clouded with the rush of emotions swirling inside of her. The intensity of his gaze, his strength, and his heat were all she could sense. She nodded, the simple motion enough to communicate everything that words could not.
"Yes," she whispered, the sound barely audible, but the longing in it was undeniable. "I want this."
The smirk that twisted his lips was dark and knowing, as though he'd already anticipated her answer. With a sudden, possessive motion, Kael pulled her closer, his lips crashing down on hers in a kiss that was as fierce as it was consuming. She gasped into him, her hands coming up to his chest, clutching the fabric of his shirt as she desperately tried to keep her balance under the onslaught of sensation.
Through the thin fabric of their clothes, the hard line of Kael's body was visible as his hands moved to the small of her back and pressed her against him. His touch was as rough as it was gentle, commanding yet tender, as though he was marking her as his without words.
Lyra did not want to pull away, but she couldn't. The kiss deepened, her lips parting beneath his, as he explored her mouth with a hunger that matched the fire raging inside of her. Her hands moved, shaky but eager, slipping under his shirt, feeling the heat of his skin. Her touch seemed to drive him further, his growl vibrating through his chest as his hands slid lower.
"Lyra," Kael murmured her name like a prayer, the rasp in his voice sending a shiver down her spine. He moved back slightly, just enough to let his lips trail a burning path down her neck, the heat of his breath making her pulse race.
"I need you," she breathed, her voice thick with want. "I need to feel you."
Kael's gaze was dark and full of lust as he pulled back just enough to look at her, his hands grazing her sides as he took in the sight of her exposed skin. The tension between them was unbearable, and yet, they were still on the edge, waiting for that final moment when everything would change. He stepped back, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Then I'll give you what you need," he said, his voice raw and filled with unrestrained desire.
Before Lyra could react, Kael moved in again, his lips trailing down her neck as he slowly removed her dress. The fabric fell to the floor, leaving her standing before him in nothing but delicate lace. It was not fear, but something else entirely that struck her like a wave of vulnerability in that moment. The need for him, the desire to be claimed, to lose herself in him.
She reached for his shirt, tearing at it until it came free from his body. The raw power of his muscles beneath her fingers made her breath catch, but it was the intensity in his eyes, the hunger that radiated from him, that had her heart pounding harder in her chest.
Kael reached behind her, unhooking her bra with a deft movement, before lowering his lips to the curve of her breast. A soft moan escaped her lips at the feel of his mouth against her skin, his tongue flicking over her, teasing her. She arched into him, the sensation sending a jolt of pleasure straight to her core.
"You're perfect," Kael muttered, his voice thick with desire as his hands traveled lower, brushing against the lace of her panties. He paused, his fingers teasing the edge of the fabric. "I'm going to take my time with you."
Lyra's breath hitched. She wanted to lose herself even more in him because of the way he spoke, with such assurance and control. She wanted him to take his time, wanted to feel every inch of him, and wanted to be devoured by him completely.
"Please," she begged, her voice cracking with the rawness of her need.
That was all the encouragement Kael needed. With a growl, he kissed her again, his hands shifting, pulling her panties off in one swift motion. She was exposed before him, vulnerable, and yet it only seemed to intensify the passion between them.
Kael didn't waste any more time. He kissed her fiercely, his hands moving to her thighs as he gently pushed her back onto the bed. She lay there, breathing heavily, her body already trembling with anticipation. He hovered over her, his eyes locked on hers, as though checking that she was ready for him, ready for what he was about to give her.
"Kael," she breathed, her hands gripping the sheets, her body aching with need. "Please."
He didn't speak, only gave her a predatory look, before lowering himself between her legs. The heat of him, the sheer force of his presence, consumed her. She arched into him as his body pressed against hers, the full weight of his desire taking her completely. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think—there was only him, only the sensation of being filled, claimed by him in every way possible.
Kael's name escaped her lips in a broken cry as he moved with a rhythm that drove her wild, each stroke deep and demanding. He was relentless, unyielding, pushing her to the edge of her limits and then taking her over.
With each thrust, the world seemed to fall away. There was nothing but him. Nothing but this moment, this connection, this overwhelming force of nature between them. Kael's growls, his grunts, his possessive murmurs—all of it drove her to the edge of madness.
And when she finally broke, when the wave of ecstasy hit her, she screamed his name, her body trembling beneath his as he followed her into the abyss.
Kael collapsed beside her, breathless, his hand brushing her hair back from her face as he gazed down at her. His eyes were still dark with desire, but there was something more now—something that told her he was just as consumed by her as she was by him.
"Lyra…" he whispered, his voice filled with something softer now. "You're mine."