teaser Tuesday

while reading another blog, i realized i haven't posted anything from my work in progress, Black Heart. and posting this is so much easier than actually working on it, so here goes.

warning 1 -- there's one spoiler here, but it's a spoiler for Eldala, so if you haven't read that one yet and don't want to know how things go, don't read this.

warning 2 -- i'd rate this PG because it's suggestive, but not overly.

warning 3 -- this is from my 2nd draft, so this isn't my best writing, but i still like it. i'm pretty sure this scene will make it into the final novel.

to set up the scene, it's about halfway through Black Heart. Kieran and Jessa (my two main characters from Eldala) have been married now for seven years. as passionate as they are for each other, life with kids and the responsibility of running a country can get in the way of marital actvities. this is the first chance they've had to be together in quite some time.

(don't these two look good together?)

Just as Jessa had instructed, a servant had set a tub of steaming water next to the hearth. She set about lighting candles to give the room a golden glow. When she heard the door open and close, a shimmer of heat went through her. She turned around and watched Kieran walk towards her. He lifted his shirt over his head and she drew in a breath. Her husband was the most handsome man in Teleria.

When he reached her, there was a predatory gleam in his eye. She swallowed, suddenly feeling as shy as she had on her wedding night. He took her hand and kissed her fingers one by one, slowly moving over her palm and then across her wrist. His simple touch was enough to make her nearly collapse in a heap.

He pushed her sleeve up and let his lips travel across her unexpectedly sensitive arm. She took in a quick breath when he moved her bodice off her shoulder and kissed his way across her collarbone. As he pulled her closer, she splayed her hands across his chest, loving the way his hardened muscles moved under her fingers.

“I love you, Jess,” he whispered. His lips and beard nuzzled behind her ear, while his hands unfastened her braid. He threaded his fingers through her loose hair and let out a long breath. “You’re so beautiful.”

“And I love you, but you need a bath.”

His quirked one eyebrow. “And you’ll be the one to give it to me?”

“Unless you want one of the servants…”

“No, but I think you should join me.”

“I will.” She gave him a teasing smile. “Eventually.”