Without thinking, Brand raised his thumb to it.
Madelyn's breath caught at once.
"Have you been in the kitchen?" he asked quietly.
She nodded slightly, her breath heightening.
He nodded too, yet his hand lingered. When the soot was done, he continued still, caressing her smooth, dark skin, tracing the warmth of it, and pleased at the feel. Her warm breath came repeatedly on his wrist. Something feral stirred within him.
"Mr Brand?" She asked, but did not move.
Neither did Brand.
He rejoiced his thumb with the softness of her skin. When he traced higher, searching for her lashes, her eyelids closed easily. She exhaled sharply, her lips parting with intent.
He licked his lips.
His hand slid back to the nape of her neck and his fingers massaged the base of her hair, kneading gently until she breathed out. Audibly.
Her face tilted up to him, and her lips called as they had in his dream. Soft, plum, willing.
Ferdinard.
