He settles further back against the pillows with me in his lap, holding me closer. He strokes one large hand slowly through my hair, a soothing touch that draws a contented sigh from my throat.
He presses a lingering kiss to my forehead, his lips cool but soft, and my heart falters at the sweetness he’s showing me in the aftermath of my quaking release.
I’m aware of his hardness beneath me, but he isn’t making any demands on me right now. Despite his own needs, he’s taking the time to tend to me, taking the time to comfort me as my strength and awareness gradually return.
I should be pulling away.
I should be demanding answers.
But I don’t want to spoil the moment, a moment so intimate it makes my heart ache, so I remain pliant in his arms as he continues stroking my tresses. His long hair tickles my face, and I breathe in the familiar winter scent of him, an aroma that I’m coming to associate with a sense of… home. And belonging.
A few days ago, I wanted nothing more than to return to Braemar and my family. But as Merak holds me, as his heart beats steadily beneath my ear, I cannot fathom being parted from him.
I still don’t know how we can find true happiness together, especially since I am considered his slave, but I’m allowing myself to feel hopeful. Maybe there’s a path for us that doesn’t involve heartache. A path that leads to a joyful life, one filled with love, adventure, and understanding.
Love?
I briefly tense in his arms. I shouldn’t even allow myself to think of that word right now. I can’t claim I love him, for surely it’s too soon for that, but I do feel great amounts of affection for him. I’m drawn to him in ways I still can’t fully grasp, but I hope that once we have that honest conversation we really, really need to have, the answers will become clearer to me.
My breathing finally steadies, and I become even more aware of Merak’s hardness beneath me, pressing against me through his trousers, the unmistakable evidence of his need for me, restrained but waiting.
My nervousness from earlier doesn’t return… but something bolder does.
A resurgence of heat affects my core, and my breath hitches as my fingers delve into his hair. I suddenly need something to hold onto, and I find myself almost yanking on his long, dark tresses.
Gods.
It would seem I’m becoming aroused all over again. I can’t help it. The feel of his hardness pressing against my bottom is enough to make me breathless.
And before I can overthink it, I shift, just enough for him to feel me, grinding myself down with deliberate intent. Testing him. Tempting him.
He places his lips at my ear and growls, a warning sound that sends another surge of quaking heat between my thighs. I flush as I consider how slick I became as he lapped at my core, andhow eager I’m becoming now. I’m probably going to leave a wet spot on the front of his pants. My face grows even hotter.
I withdraw slightly from his arms and meet his eyes.
He studies my face, and I sense he’s searching my thoughts for any hint of reluctance.
Searching my thoughts…
I almost gasp. Almost.
You can truly sense my emotions, I say into his mind.My emotions, and my thoughts too. Gods, Merak. Why didn’t you tell me? For how long? Please don’t say for the entire time we’ve been together. Please say it’s only a recent development.
His gaze narrows for a moment, then flickers with amusement. A second later, his voice resounds in my head, a steady, confident echo that vibrates through me as though he’s speaking aloud.Ah. And here I thought I was the only one keeping secrets, he says.If you know I can sense your emotions and thoughts, my dearest, then it means you can also detect mine. Therefore, I could ask you the very same questions.
I push at his chest and scoff, though it’s more of an instinctual reaction to being challenged. I should be angry, yet in truth, I cannot summon a hint of fury toward him.
You first, I say down the tether, the tether that very well might be part of a mating bond… a bond we haven’t yet physically consummated.Ifwe are mates.
He smirks.I started sensing your emotions on our first day together, but I could not detect your thoughts until more recently. I have only heard your exact thoughts a few times. Usually, it’s more like… fragments of your thoughts, or a general idea of what you are thinking.
He leans closer, and I swear he suddenly sends me a wave of command down the bond, as though trying to bend me to his will, as though trying to make sure that I’m honest with him in return.
Your turn, my dearest. Tell me when you started sensing my emotions and whether you can hear my exact thoughts.
Still holding his gaze, I lift my chin. “It’s the same for me. I was able to sense your emotions early on, the very first day, and fragments of your thoughts came later. I haven’t heard your exact thoughts yet, and I don’t like that you’ve heard mine a few times.” I can’t bear to ask which precise thoughts he’s heard. Like whether he just heard me thinking about love…
He cups the side of my face, and his eyes glimmer with warmth. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
