“The size difference is hot, Geoff. You’re huge and strong, and you could probably break me in half, but you’re so careful with me. It’s incredibly attractive.”
“I would never hurt you.”
“I know. That’s part of what makes it hot.”
He stared at me for a long moment, something dark and heated in his expression. Then he was kissing me again, deeper than before, one hand sliding up my back while the other stayed locked on my hip. I melted into him, into the kiss, into the feeling of being surrounded by him.
We stayed like that for a long time, kissing, touching, our hands roaming, learning each other. His hands mapped my back, my sides, always careful, always asking permission with every new touch. I explored the planes of his chest, the muscles of his shoulders, the fascinating texture where fur gave way to skin at his throat and wrists.
“We should stop,” he murmured against my lips, even as his hands pulled me closer.
“Do you want to stop?”
“No. God, no. But.”
“Then don’t stop.”
“Maya.” He pulled back enough to look at me, his expression serious despite his obvious arousal. “I need you to understand something about Yetis. About me.”
My heart was pounding. “Okay.”
“We don’t do casual well. When we commit to someone, it’s intense. All-consuming. I’ve been fighting that instinct with you for over a year because I didn’t want to scare you off. But if we do this, if we cross this line, I’m not going to be able to be casual about it.”
“I don’t want casual.”
“You say that now.”
“I always say that. Geoff, I don’t do casual either. In fact, I’m terrible at it. Every relationship I’ve ever had, I’ve been all in from the start. It’s part of why they’ve failed. I give too much too fast and scare people off.” I touched his face, feeling the soft fur under my palm. “But with you? I don’t think I could scare you off if I tried.”
“You couldn’t.” His eyes were intense, almost glowing in the firelight. “I’ve been yours for over a year even if you didn’t know it. If you want me, I’m already all in.”
The words hit me like a physical force. “I want you.”
“Oh, Maya.”
He pressed his lips against mine with a deeper, more claiming kiss. His hands slid under my sweater and his hoodie that I was still wearing. The feel of his palms against my bare skin made me gasp. He was so warm, and the contrast between his fur-covered hands and the pads of his fingers was intoxicating.
“Tell me if anything’s too much,” he said against my neck. “If I hurt you, if you need to stop, please tell me.”
“You won’t hurt me.”
“You’re bruised.”
“They’re fine. I’m fine. Better than fine.” I tugged at his shirt. “Can this come off?”
He pulled back, eyes searching my face. Whatever he saw there made him relax. “Yeah. It can come off.”
He pulled his shirt over his head in one smooth motion, and I forgot how to breathe.
I'd caught glimpses of his chest before, like when his shirt had ridden up, and through the buttons on his polo. But this was different. This was all of him, bare and absolutely magnificent. His fur was thicker on his chest and shoulders, thinning to a downy softness over his stomach. Muscles shifted beneath, defined and powerful.
“You're staring,” he said, but there was no self-consciousness in his voice, only amusement.
“You’re beautiful.” I grinned. “Do men like it when a woman calls them beautiful?”
“I can’t speak for anyone else, but I do.” He lowered his head.
“You are.” I ran my hands over his chest, following the patterns of his fur. “You’re absolutely beautiful.”
