He sits up, and the blanket falls away from his bare chest. I know he is wearing pants because I was just with him, but my fantasy is still fresh in my mind. I can’t contain the song in my chest, and… I don’t want to.
I don't realize I'm being careless with my thoughts until he growls. "Estela."
He's crawling forward, then he's in front of me, and his tail wraps around me, bringing me into his lap, cradled in his arms. His hands trail my back, my neck—his touch igniting fires all over my body.
The song hums louder, but all I can do is look into his eyes and feel my heart racing. Then he pulls back as if anticipating me pushing him away.
"Thank you for staying," he murmurs, pushing the hair from my face. The words mean more as I think of all the times I've tried to run from him.
"You came for me when I was crying. It felt right to be there for you when you needed me,” I say, breathless. The way he's holding me is causing the robe I'm wearing to send delicious friction all over my skin.
My eyes drop on the glowing mark on his neck, like a small glowing pebble. His mating mark. I have the sudden urge to bite it.
His arms stiffen around me and his hard length presses against the side of my upper thigh. My pulse spikes.
"What are you thinking?" he asks.
I can feel my cheeks flaming, embarrassed at my thoughts. I shake my head, but I don't move away from him.
"Nothing," I say.
He gently takes my chin in his hand and tilts my face up, so I can't hide from him.
"That's a lie," he murmurs. "I want you to tell me about those intriguing ideas. Tell me how much you want me with those pretty lips."
My gaze lifts and meets his.
"Not everything can be said," I whisper. “I am still learning what it is I feel.”
A slow smile spreads across his face. "Will you ever let things between us be easy?"
My mouth opens. "Fine, then. Kiss me." The dare doesn't have time to hang in the air between us. He's all too willing for the next step.
He leans in and captures my lips with his, sending a surge of pleasure through me. His lips move against mine, and the song builds up inside of me, like a crescendo of music. Not as soft as before, this song is demanding and passionate.
A second later, he releases me and traces his thumb along my lower lip.
What else do you want, my queen?he asks in my mind.
He's used that term before, but at this moment, it doesn't feel like a hollow phrase. He genuinely wants me.
"More," I murmur.
More kisses?He asks in my own language.
Just teach me,I beg.
He lets out a stream of words that shock me.You’re getting better at the human tongue,I say.
And that’s not even all I can do with my mouth.He's the picture of restraint despite the desperation I sense under his skin.
I take a deep breath but still struggle to say the words. I think of what I felt in the tub, and let my mind open to him. I've never quite felt anything like it before, to have someone with me for a moment.
I feel him react to the picture beneath me by parting my robe and revealing my legs. My skin is damp from the water, but I’m not cold. He moves his hand further down my body, grazing my skin as he moves lower. I'm trembling, my breaths coming out in short gasps. As his hand moves around my hips, his other hand lifts my chin, pressing his lips against mine.
Once we do this, I can't take it back. Are you sure?
We've never spoken so long through the bond. It's disorienting, but not in an unpleasant way.