Page 97 of Where the Wind Whispers

He wasn’t.

He might have thought that he was, but she didn’t think so.

They were still alive.

That counted for something.

“I love you,” she whispered against his back. “I’m here, okay? Whatever you want or need, I’m here, Kaz. I’m sorry.”

“Think, breathe,” he repeated gruffly.

That was what he wanted.

She got what he was saying well enough.

“Don’t I do that for you?” she asked.

“Of course, but right now, I’m not—” Kaz’s words cut off, and he blew out a hard breath.

She understood without him finishing his explanation. His body was so tense that even her hands running over the ridges of his abdominal muscles had him shaking and jumping. His muscles flexed hard under her light touches, like he wanted to get out of her hands and stay there at the same time.

Whenever she needed him to listen or to hear her, all she had to do was touch him, and all of his attention would be on her in an instant.

It was their strange connection—always had been.

They always communicated far better in bed, or even just when they were alone or touching. It didn’t matter, but it was true.

Strange, but true.

But this was not the same because she knew he was so angry, and he was always so careful to never give more than she could take when they were together, even if their fucking or loving was its own sort of rough.

He didn’t want to take from her, she thought, because he didn’t know what she could take.

Violet knew.

She wanted to let him think—let him breathe.

Or if he needed, he could feel nothing for a while.

“Kaz,” she said against his back, soothing and calm, “let me help you.”

He shook his head again, but his refusal quickly melted into a low, thick groan when Violet’s hand slid down from his stomach and found his cock. Already semi-hard, she only had to stroke him once, twice, then three times in a tight grip. She felt his length pulse under her hand, and she knew it wouldn’t take much more to get him where he would react.

“Violet,” Kaz started to say.

Her teeth found a muscle in his back and bit down hard enough to quiet him and likely hurt.

Kaz hissed, but he didn’t move away.

Her free hand dragged down his stomach and over his hip, her nails scoring into his skin and tattoos with just enough force to make him feel.

“Let me help,” she repeated.

Kaz let out a shaky breath. “I feel like I want to fucking kill something, Violet. And this is what you’re doing? You’re playing with fire.”

She could handle him.

Whatever he threw at her, she’d take it and fucking smile.