Page 54 of Oath of Rebellion

She held her hands out, but he didn't attack. Slowly, palms up, she reached for his hood. He didn't step away, just stood there rooted in place as he watched her. The hood fell back, and she sucked in a breath.

The hundreds of freckles that dotted his face faded into larger spots past his temples. The spots grew larger and larger, some with bumps and ridges and even points. Most were the same brown color as his freckles, but the skin from his temples back was tinged green.

She blinked, running her fingers lightly over the bumpy knots. His eyes fluttered at the touch, but it almost appeared as though he'd stopped breathing.

She traced the two larger pieces, triangular like a cat's ears but hard like horns where they jutted out from the skin on the sides. He shuddered, his eyes flickering at the touch.

He had long brown hair at the top of his head that was pulled back in a tight braid down his back. She ran her fingers over the braid, then moved both hands back to his...

"What do you call these?"

His eyes opened, and he seemed to snap out of a spell. He stepped back, his spine straightening and his chin going up in defiance.

"Horns and scales."

Her eyes widened. "Scales like a snake or a lizard? Are you a lizard man?"

He pursed his lips and scowled, stepping back from her and walking to the door of the barn. "No, I'm not a lizard man. If—if it bothers you, I'll put the hood back up."

He stared out at the darkness, the storm still building and his body stiff as if waiting for her ridicule or judgment.

She stepped up beside him and slid her hand into his big, calloused one. She linked their fingers together and stared out into the night with him. He froze at her touch, as if afraid to breathe.

Her voice was soft and low, the way she'd talk to a bird she didn't want to startle. "It doesn't bother me."

"Are you sure?" Uncertainty clung to his tone like a cape, the shadows rolling around them both now.

She stepped in front of him, her hand trailing up his bicep and across his chest. "I'm sure. In fact, it turns me on. What else are you hiding under all these clothes?"

A flash of lightning lit his face, brows high in surprise. Then he grinned and leaned a hand on the frame of the door, caging her in. Her core clenched, and she licked her lips.

"Would you really like to know?" He practically purred, and she breathed deeply of the woodsy aroma that was him. His scent had haunted her dreams, and she'd leaned close to one too many nobles over the past few weeks just trying to find someone similar.

No one smelled like Knox, though. No one–what would he taste like? She licked her lips and hooked her fingers into his pants, popping a button off.

"I really would," she said softly. "You're not a lizard man, then. What do I call you? Are you a monster that prowls the forest?"

His eyes turned wary but were still glazed with desire. "I'll show you my monster," he gritted between clenched teeth, popping another button on his pants.

She flicked the next one open, then he undid the last one. It was more erotic than any dance she'd ever participated in before. Her heart raced, and her body was on fire.

She sank to her knees and gripped his dick through his pants. He didn't move, didn't even breathe as she stared up at him. "Can I play with your monster, Knox?"

He groaned and a green curl of smoke sank out of his nose and onto her head. Her body flashed with heat. She needed him. It was like a clawing hunger, and she pulled his monster out.

It stared at her, larger than any she'd seen before. She blinked up at him, suddenly worried as she bit her lip. "I–I've done a lot but I've never done this. Tell me if I do it right?"

Before she could second guess herself, she wrapped her lips around the head. He groaned, his hips thrusting slightly as he held himself up against the door frame with one hand.

The other settled on the back of her head, and she sank down on him. Her mouth wrapped around him in a hot, wet slide, and her eyes fluttered. Every movement of her mouth, every swirl of her tongue sent a shiver of pleasure straight to her clit.

She began to throb, and her hand cupped her mound over her dress. He gripped her hair, pulling her forward and back, faster and faster. She rocked on her knees as he began to thrust into her face.

She moaned as the honey taste of him burst on her tongue. It was sweet and salty, the perfect combination. Why hadn't she ever done this before?

Oh yeah, because she was the princess. She didn't want to bow to any man.

The sweet nectar pulsed into her mouth, and the hunger between her legs made her quiver with anticipation. She needed more than just this teasing taste. She needed all of him, filling her again and again.