Neil unbuttoned his jeans and eased them down, letting out a breath when his erection finally sprang free of its prison. He kicked the fabric away, then palmed his cock. Pre-cum wet the tip. He thumbed over the sensitive skin, shuddering. He glanced at Moira, sleeping on his sofa. His erection swelled even more, as if he needed the reminder that this arousal was all for her. “Fuck,” he muttered, walking back to the bed. He’d never be able to function if this didn’t subside. He wanted Moira more than he’d ever wanted another woman. Thoughts of his father, the Council, and the men chasing after Moira shredded down to nothing in the face of his need.

“Neil?” Moira mumbled, rolling over.

He froze before he could sit down, hand full of hard-on. “Yeah?” his voice cracked. He cleared his throat and tried again. “You okay?” He deliberately ignored the jeans on the floor. Hell, he wanted her to see him like this. He couldn’t deny it.

She opened her eyes sleepily. When she caught sight of him standing nude, she gasped.

Neil swallowed as the look on her face enflamed him even more, and then he mentally gave up the fight to keep away. His hand stroked down and then up his shaft as he returned her gaze, letting his desire show on his face. He knew his eyes would be gold in this light. He wondered if that would scare her.

“What are you doing?” Her voice trembled. She put a hand to her mouth as if to hide her bewilderment, but he saw how her gaze flicked down to his groin, then back up again. Her delicate skin took on a pink hue.

He smiled tightly, even as his fist squeezed his erection. “I’m trying to be a gentleman.” Maybe with her watching he could climax and this ridiculous attraction to her would subside. He stroked himself again. “And I’m failing.” He slid his other hand down and cupped his balls. The jolt of pleasure that shot through him made him suck in a harsh breath.

“I’ll just go—” She stumbled off the sofa, almost falling onto the glass coffee table.

Neil was at her side keeping her from falling before he could consciously make the decision to move. He put his hands on her shoulders. “Careful.” His voice had gone low and soft. His dragon half roared in his head as Moira lifted her face to him. “You don’t want to break the glass.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, but didn’t seem any more able to walk away from him than he could from her.

“Jesus Christ,” Neil muttered as his palms felt her warmth. She smelled like lavender and mint. Like everything he ever wanted. The soft blush on her face made him want to kiss her gently. Her full lips made him want to bite her. “Don’t be sorry. I’m the one who’s sorry,” he rasped as his instincts pushed at him again. Blue flames licked the ceiling of the apartment as his self-control wavered, but Neil no longer cared. Even if the building burned around him, he had to have her.

Moira frowned. “For what?” She kept her eyes firmly above his shoulders. She didn’t seem to notice the fire.

“For this.” He leaned in and kissed her, nibbling at her lips until she opened her mouth. He wrapped his arms around her as he licked inside, groaning when his cock brushed her hip. Her clothes scraped the sensitive head of his erection, but the pain felt good. He sank his hands into her hair, holding her head exactly where he wanted it. She was so soft and small he knew he could break her without even trying. Guilt scraped at him, but not enough to make him stop.

“Oh my God, Neil,” she said, voice breaking when he finally released her mouth to kiss down her jaw. “What are you doing?” She shuddered. “You’re naked.”

“I’ve got to have you,” he said, hands busy at her shirt. He lifted it up and over her head with one swift movement. “Please, Moira.”

She shivered, hands covering her breasts, but Neil already had her bra unfastened. He drew it forward and down her arms, then off entirely, mouth watering. Her skin was so delicate he worried he’d mark her with his desperation, and then he decided he wanted to mark her.

Mine, he thought, bending down to bite at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. His hands went to her breasts, pushing her fingers out of the way. “You’re gorgeous,” he said against her skin, more enamored with her courage than he was with her body. He sat on the coffee table and drew her in between his legs. “So strong.” He kissed down to her breast and took the tip in his mouth, suckling soft at first, and then hard enough to make her cry out. How could a woman tough enough to run away from everything she’d ever known be so fragile? He sucked his way across to her other breast, inhaling her essence as he trapped her between his thighs. His erection oozed pre-cum as it brushed against her legs.

“This is impossible,” she cried, threading her fingers into his hair and squeezing. She clearly didn’t want him to stop. He bit her nipple a little harder, encouraged when she moaned.

“You don’t want me.” Her grip tightened. “I’m overweight and too young. And weak.”

“Don’t want you?” Neil tipped his head back into her palms, stung. “Yes, I do. More than anything.” He cupped both her breasts and flicked his thumbs over her nipples until they puckered tightly. “And weak isn’t the word I’d use for you, Moira. You’re beautiful, and courageous.”

She trembled.

Neil grinned fiercely. “Believe me, I know what I want. I know that I shouldn’t want you, but I’m tired of fighting myself. You’re mine, Moira. You’re perfect.”

“You’re crazy,” she whispered, staring at him, lips red from his teeth. “We barely know each other.”

“Not true.” He leaned up and kissed her again, smiling against her mouth when she moaned. “Say yes, Moira. Let me make love to you.”