you is dangerous. But in a good way. It’s making me better. Less afraid of what you want someday. Can I stay like this?”
He was quiet for a long time, and I knew he was fighting with what he should say versus what he wanted to say. I leaned forward and lightly kissed the corner of his mouth. He trembled under me even though I was careful to avoid full hip to hip contact. This eighteen rule was killing him, and it needed to stop.
“Tomorrow, we should go say hi to Drav and Mya,” I said, feathering my fingers over his cheek.
He made a sound. I thought it was supposed to be his usually non-committal grunt, but it didn’t come out that way. It sounded more tortured. Poor guy.
I kissed the other corner of his mouth.
“We could get some supplies from the supply shed afterward. If you want.”
I brushed my lips over his, and his shaking intensified.
“And maybe go trade at Tenacity to help out over there,” I said, my lips hovering over his.
He still didn’t move, and the beat of his heart under my palm began to worry me.
“Do you want me to stop?” I asked.
He didn’t answer, and I started to get up. His hands gripped my hips, anchoring me in place just over him, not quite touching where he likely ached most. I really wanted to be the one to soothe him.
I kissed him gently, little reassuring brushes of my lips over his mouth, his cheeks, his jaw. I worked lower to his neck, kissing scars and the few patches of unmarked skin that he had. Since he was letting me explore, I found the edge of his shirt and pushed the material upward, smoothing my palms over his honed muscles.
“I didn’t think I’d like touching you this much,” I whispered. “If you think my softness is mesmerizing, I’m just as taken with your hardness.” My fingers glided over his pectorals as I spoke.
A shudder ran through him, and I lifted my head.
“Want to get rid of your shirt?”
His glazed eyes shifted from my lips to the shirt of his that I currently wore.
I smiled.
“I didn’t mean mine, but I’m willing if you’re interested.”
“No.”
The word was a dry rasp. Pained and full of need. It made my heart hammer harder and my own need stronger. Carefully, I lowered myself, letting my hips rest on his. He hissed out a breath as my weight settled on his hard length. His fingers twitched on my hips but nothing more.
I wished he’d do something.
“Tell me to stop,” I whispered as I moved slightly, pressing my core against him ever so slightly.
Other than a very loud exhale, he remained silent. Not me.
My mouth had dropped open at the intense ache the friction had created. I was pretty sure I’d made a noise. A squeak? A mewl? I slid my hips forward again, rubbing against the erection that strained against the confinement of his pants. It was definitely a mewl that erupted from me.
I rotated my hips, riding him through the material, and closed my eyes against the pleasure.
Finally, he moved.
One moment, I was on top; the next, I was on the couch, lying underneath him. His lips claimed mine in a kiss so hungry and full of need that I forgot to breathe. I wrapped my arms around his neck, sliding my hands into his hair, and held on for dear life. I tried to press up against him, but he was too far away. Even in this moment, he still managed to hold himself back.
I tore my lips from him, panting, and looked up at him.
He was breathing just as hard and placed his forehead against mine.
“You are my air, my will, my life.”
Then he was gone. The sound of the door closing told me he’d left the house. I blinked at the TV screen, and the reality of just how completely and desperately Thallirin wanted me hit.
A shiver ran through me at the thought of what he would be like once that rule was no longer an issue.
I was so comfortable and warm that I didn’t want to move. But, I did. Sliding my leg over Thallirin’s hips, I snuggled closer. I wasn’t sure what time it was or when he’d finally come home, but I was glad he’d decided to sleep next to me rather than continue to avoid me. Doubly glad that he only wore his athletic shorts.
I rubbed my face against his chest, inhaling the smell