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Unable to see anything Mora is forced to rely on Rick, following closely behind him. She thinks they must be near the stairs when her foot catches on the first step and she tumbles forward. Rick, who somehow was facing her, catches her in his arms. When she feels the step under her knee, she realizes that he is sitting a few above her and that he intentionally tripped her. She thinks she can see the reflection of his eyes in the dark and is a bit unnerved when his hand, which seems to know exactly where she is, reaches up and cradles her face.
“Are you all right?” That personal, tender tone makes her heart race so fast she doesn’t say anything, afraid it will come out as a whimper. His scent grows stronger; she knows he is leaning in. For an instant, she thinks she can feel his breath on her lips. She breathes shallowly, afraid to move and wishing desperately that she could see his face.
Suddenly she is swept up into his arms; he holds her tightly against his chest, carrying her up the steps and across the balcony. She closes her eyes, his smell invading her lungs and fueling her desire. When he pushes the doors open he stops for a moment, as if considering what to do. She remains still, eyes shut, willing him to do with her as he wishes. He walks across the room and sets her down, his body leaving an impression on hers when he is gone.Content is © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.
When Mora opens her eyes, her heart drops when she realizes that she is on the chair behind the screen. She sighs deeply, thinking herself absurd for hoping she would open her eyes and be in his bed. Changing into her gown, she praises Rick for being a better actor than she is-he was even able to convince her of his feelings.
Silently, she drags herself out from behind the screen and over to the pit. Sitting next to him, she stares off into the distance. His hand slides up her leg, lifting her gown to expose her almost healed wound. He rubs the salve in, calm voice prying her out of her thoughts, “What’s the matter beautiful, cat got your tongue?”
When she turns to him, she sees a half crooked smile on his face. Her crippled heart lashes out before she can stop it, “Am I not good enough for you?” Her tiny voice is full of hurt.
He stops rubbing in the medicine, frozen, completely shocked by her comment. He blinks several times, staring at her, “I’m afraid I don’t know what you are referring to…”
Completely taken over by her lust, she leans forward, locked onto his eyes. She reaches for his hand; when her fingers take a hold of it, she slowly slides it further up her thigh. Half way up, she starts to turn it so that his hand is now on top of her leg, moving towards the inside.
Rick jerks his hand back from her. He looks away, quickly screwing the cap onto the salve jar. Crushed, Mora lies back. She is angry at him but furious with herself for being so reckless. She knows that in a few days she will never see him again. He must be disgusted with her seemingly loose ways but she can’t help but wish her first experience with a man would be enjoyable or at the very least with someone who she imagines would be gentler than Irron. She closes her eyes, sulking in her pain. She knows this must be how Eric feels.
When she feels the pillows shift beside her, she thinks it must be Rick, trying to draw her out to apologize. She refuses to open her eyes, keeping them clenched tight. Her breath is suddenly taken away when she feels Rick’s lips firmly planted on hers. Heart racing and body on fire she throws away all rational thoughts, melting against the kiss. She wraps her arms around his neck, holding him down tightly against her. Overcome with her emotions, she stifles a moan with his mouth, desperately wanting more.
He pulls away from her, rising quickly to leave the pit. Pausing with his back to her, she can see his shoulders heave almost angrily. He turns ever so slightly when he speaks to her, “You are too good for me, Mora,” his head drops so she can no longer see his face. Before she has a chance to respond, he says, “Good morning, Mora,” so breathlessly she wants to get up and run after him but he quickly leaves and snuffs the lights.
She lies frozen, entirely confused at what just happened. With a glimmer of hope alive in her heart, her mind struggles to bring her back down out of the clouds. Her body, tired from lack of sleep the night before, the night of dancing and the aching for Rick, calls her into sleep. She fights it, trying to figure out what Rick’s actions meant. Just as she decides to rise, crawl into his bed and force him to continue where they left off, the veil of sleep slips over her and her eyes fall shut.