Stop that,she told herself firmly.This is hardly the time.
But her traitorous hand continued its exploration, drifting down to his jaw, his neck, the broad expanse of his shoulder. He was so much larger than her. In another context, another life, that might have been threatening. Here and now, it felt like safety.
He stirred, his black eyes opening slowly. For a moment he just looked at her, still caught in the haze between sleep and waking.
“Melissa?” His voice was rough, deeper than usual. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” She let her hand rest against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath her palm. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Nervous about tomorrow?”
“A little.” She paused, searching for the right words. “More… aware, I think. Of how much could change.”
His tail tightened around her thigh in a possessive gesture that sent heat flooding through her. “You’re not having second thoughts?”
“About escaping? No.” She met his eyes. “About you? Definitely not.”
Something shifted in his expression. The sleepy softness vanished, replaced by an intensity that made her breath catch.
“Melissa—”
“I know the timing is terrible,” she said quickly. “I know we should be focused on the plan and on getting out of here safely. But I keep thinking about what you said yesterday. About wanting to build a life together. About wanting to be a family.”
“I meant every word.”
“I know you did. That’s what scares me.” She laughed softly, without humor. “I’m not good at this, Becsul. I don’t know how to rely on someone else. I don’t know how to let someone take care of me. But when I’m with you…”
She trailed off, unable to find the words.
“When you’re with me?”
“It feels right,” she whispered. “Like I’ve been holding my breath my whole life and I can finally exhale.”
He made a sound low in his throat, something between a growl and a sigh, and pulled her closer. His forehead pressed against hers, his breath warm on her lips.
“You are remarkable,” he said quietly. “Strong and fierce and beautiful. When I first walked into this cell, I expected to find a broken prisoner. Instead I found a warrior queen, ready to fight the universe for her child.” His hand came up to cup her face. “I am honored that you trust me. I will spend the rest of my life proving worthy of it.”
She closed the distance between them.
The kiss started soft, almost tentative, but it didn’t stay that way. Heat built between them like a fire catching tinder, slow at first and then all at once. His hand slid into her hair, tilting her head back so he could deepen the kiss. She responded in kind, her fingers digging into his shoulders, pulling him closer.
His tail unwound from her thigh only to slide higher, curving around her hip possessively. The sensation sent sparks dancing across her skin. She gasped against his mouth and felt him smile.
“Is this—” His voice was strained. “Should we?—”
“Don’t stop.”
She didn’t need to think about tomorrow right now. She didn’t want to worry about escape plans or the other women or any of it. She wanted this. She wanted him.
Her hands found their way under his shirt, exploring the warm skin and firm muscle beneath. He groaned as her nails scraped lightly across his abdomen, the sound vibrating through her whole body. She’d wanted to go slowly, to draw out the pleasure, but the need was rising fast, turning her blood to fire.
“Becsul,” she whispered against his mouth. “I need more.”
His response was to roll them over, covering her body with his. The solid weight of him pressed her into the mattress, and she wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him closer. His tail slid between her thighs, the tip just brushing against the sensitive bundle of nerves there, and she cried out, arching against him.
“Is this what you need?” he asked, his voice rough with desire.
“Yes. God, yes.”
