Page 99 of Trove’s Purpose

And when his face hardened, she understood the thought he was having now as well. If he wanted to give her what she wanted, he had to actually be able to touch her. To fuck her. To get hard and not feel the urge to be sick or run.

“Are you done?” He asked, eating the last of his food in one big bite.

She nodded, sitting up and dusting the crumbs off her lap as he stood. He offered her his hand, and she took it with a smile so he could help her to her feet.

“Let’s go back to the inn,” he said, clearly ready to confront this right now.

She smiled, nodding happily. If he was ready to try again, she was ready too.

***

Was it still sex if it was about healing? If it was a form of therapy?

Chee wasn’t sure, but it certainly felt intimate. Though they weren’t doing the traditional horizontal tango, there was a depth, a connection that she knew didn’t exist anywhere else.

They returned to the inn and, unlike last time, they had chosen to share a singular room. There had been doubt about what they were going to be doing – or not doing – while they were here. But she wasn’t in doubt anymore.

They left the lights off, so it was dim like his room. And she knew now that he preferred the dungeon like atmosphere because that’s where he had been raised. Trapped in that hellish basement.

“It doesn’t bother you?” She asked as they stood in the center of the room, facing each other. “Being reminded of that place?”

He looked around the dim room before focusing back on her. “I’m a domini. Our minds don’t process trauma the way other species do. It’s comforting to me. Is that unusual?”

Chee shook her head. “I never could go back into that kitchen where my uncle died. We had to leave that house completely. But that’s normal for humans. If this is normal for domini, then it’s not unusual. If it makes you comfortable, I’m okay with it.”

Trove hesitated, looking at her carefully. “Perhaps I’m not saying this correctly. My species doesn’t process violent trauma like others. We enjoy violence. We enjoy the fight. The sexual trauma though…”

“You’re not unusual, Trove,” she promised. “We all heal and cope differently. What do you want to do now?”

“I want to fuck you.”

She laughed, smiling at him. “I want that too. But can you?”

He growled, jaw tightening. “Probably not. No.”

“Then, what shall we do?” When he didn’t respond, she held up her hands. “Do you want to tie me up again?”

He shook his head. “No. I want you… to not move.”

Chee nodded once and dropped her hands back to her sides.

He reached for her but paused before he could touch her. He focused on her face seriously. “If I do something you don’t like, tell me to stop. And I will.”

She nodded once. “I will. Promise.”

He took in a breath and reached for her again.

As requested, she didn’t move. She kept herself loose, unmoving as he slowly stroked his hands down her shoulders, down her arms. He took her by the elbows and turned her. She obligingly spun around, letting him guide her as he wanted. He found the seal for her clothes and pressed it, letting the clothes fall to her feet. He then took her by the arms and faced her forward again. Now nude except for her shoes, a pair of strappy sandals that remained on her feet as he looked her over.

She remained still as he reached for her again. This time the tips of his fingers just barely ghosted over her skin. Down her shoulders again, but this time he went down over the modest curve of her bust, the peak of her nipple, then down her belly, until he stopped just above her groin.

He paused then and took a step back. She had to resist the urge to step after him. To beg for more. Just that caress, only that, was enough to remind her body how good he made her feel. And as much as it destroyed her, she wanted more.

She craved him like candy. A sweet and sinful treat that probably hurt her more than it helped but was so good she couldn’t help but come back for more.

Still, though she shivered with longing, she remained still and unmoving.

Trove watched her for just a moment before a knowing smirk crossed his face. She wasn’t at all subtle about her desire. And he seemed to revel in it as he put on a show for her while taking off his clothes. His movements were slow and deliberate as he stripped. And it wasn’t until he had his top off that she realized it was the first time she had seen him naked.