put his lips to the first piece of her he hit, when he stopped. He was not going to take her like this. The air was too hard between them.
He stopped her hands as they went to his pants. "Marissa... no."
"Don't say that."
He sat up, putting her back from his body. "I love you."
"Then don't stop me."
He shook his head. "I won't do this. Not as we are now."
She stared at him in disbelief. Then snatched her wrists out of his hold and turned her head from him.
"Marissa - "
She shrugged off his hands, batting them away. "I can't believe this. Our one night together and you say no."
"Let me... Christ... let me hold you. Come on, Marissa."
She rubbed her eyes. Laughed in a tragic little burst. "I am destined to go to my grave a virgin, aren't I? Sure, technically I'm not, but - "
"I didn't say I wouldn't be with you." She glanced over at him, tears glimmering on her lashes. "I just... Not with the anger. It'll pollute the whole thing. I want it to be... special."
So what if that line was right out of a high school playbook. It was the truth.
"Baby, why don't we just go into my bedroom and lie down in the dark." He handed her back the turtleneck and she put the thing to her breasts. "If we end up doing nothing but staring at the ceiling all night long, at least we'll be together. And if something happens? It won't be about pissed off and frustrated. Okay?"
She wiped off the two tears that had fallen. Pulled her shirt on over her head. Looked at the vodka she'd tried to drink.
He got to his feet and offered her his hand. "Come back with me."
After a long moment, her palm met his and he pulled her up and took her down to his bedroom. When he shut the door, everything went pitch-black, so he clicked on the little lamp on the dresser. The low-watt bulb glowed like embers in a fireplace.
"Come here." He drew her over to the bed, laid her down, and eased himself next to her so he was on his side and she on her back.
As he smoothed some of her hair out on the pillow, she closed her eyes and took a shuddering breath. Gradually, the tension loosened in her body.
"You're right. That wouldn't have gone well."
"It isn't because I don't want you." As he kissed her on the shoulder, she turned her face to his hand and pressed her lips to his palm.
"Are you scared?" she said. "About what'll happen to you tomorrow?"
"No." The only thing he worried about was her. He didn't want her to watch him die. Prayed it wouldn't come to that.
"Butch... about your human family. Do you want them to be told if you - "
"Nope, there's no need to tell them anything. And don't talk like that. I'll be fine." Please, God, let her not have to see him pass.
"But won't they care?" When he shook his head, her expression grew sad. "You should be mourned by your blood."
"I will be. By the Brotherhood." As her eyes watered, he kissed her. "And no more about mourning. That's not part of the plan. Forget about it."
"I - "
"Shh. We're not going there. You and me are staying right here."
He lay his head down next to hers and continued running his hands through her beautiful blond hair. When her breathing grew deep and even, he shuffled a little closer, tucked her against his bare chest, and shut his eyes.
He must have fallen asleep as well, because a little later he woke up. In the best possible way.
He was kissing her throat and his hand was moving up her side, heading for her breast. He'd thrown a leg over both of hers, and his erection was pushed up against her hip. With a curse, he backed off, but she followed, staying with him until she was half on top of him.
Her eyes flipped open. "Oh..."
He swept his hands up to her face and pushed her hair back. Their eyes met.
Lifting his head off the pillow, he kissed her softly on the mouth. Once. Twice. And... again.
"Is... something happening?" she whispered.
"Yeah. I think something's happening."
He drew her back into a kiss, then entered her with his tongue, stroking against hers. As he kept at it, their bodies began to move together, mimicking the sex act, his hips advancing and retreating, hers absorbing him, rubbing against him.
There was