Page 69 of Dreamscape Therapies

The gesture is so simple, yet it somehow steals every coherent thought from my head.

"You know," Jay murmurs, still looking down at our joined hands, "I've been trying very hard to behave."

"I noticed."

"You haven't been making it easy," he admits with a quiet laugh that sounds almost embarrassed.

"I know." I reach up and brush an errant strand of hair away from his forehead, and his breath catches as his eyes flick up to meet mine.

"You should really stop," he whispers.

"Stop what?" I ask, my voice just as low.

"Looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

His cheeks flush pink, and I can't help smiling.

"Like that," he says, his voice barely audible. "Like you want to swallow me whole."

"I can't help it. You're so beautiful."

Jay groans softly and drops his forehead against my chest, hiding his face from me.

"You can't just say things like that."

I laugh quietly, resting my hand against his back. "Why not? They're true."

When he finally looks back up at me, his expression has changed. His gaze is dark and searching, like he's trying to work out exactly how far he can let himself go before reality catches up with us.

"I have a very serious question for you."

"Shoot."

"If this is a dream..." He hesitates, his fingers tightening around mine. "Does that mean whatever happens here doesn't count in the real world?"

A grin spreads slowly across my face.

"That sounds like a great idea."

The distance between us disappears as he throws his arms around my neck and kisses me the way I've always wanted him to, with pure abandon and none of the hesitation that usually holds him back. Every bit of restraint he's shown me vanishes beneath the press of his lips, and he kisses me like he's finally done pretending we aren't inevitable, done overthinking every feeling and reminding himself that I'm his patient and he should keep a professional distance.

My hands grip his waist and pull him against me until there's no space between us. He lets out the smallest moan against my lips, and it sends a jolt through me that makes it nearly impossible to think. I kiss him back just as fiercely, smiling into his lips when his fingers disappear into the hair at the nape of my neck.

My brain shuts off completely. There is nothing else in the world except him—the warmth of his body, the softness of his lips, the way he clings to me as though he's afraid I'll disappear. For once, I don't want to think about what comes next or what any of this means. I just want to make my mate feel good.

I lower myself to my knees, startling him, and place my hands at the waistband of his pants as I look up at him, letting the question show clearly in my eyes.

For a moment, Jay just stares down at me, his cheeks flushed and his breathing unsteady. Then his lips curve into a small, knowing smile.

"Is this okay?" I ask, my voice rough with need.

Jay doesn't answer right away. Instead, he nods so enthusiastically that I almost laugh, his fingers slipping into my hair as though he needs something to hold on to. The nervous excitement in his expression makes my heart pound harder.

I reach for the button of his jeans, keeping my eyes on his as I slowly ease them open. His breath catches, and for a moment, neither of us says anything. There's something almost surreal about seeing him like this. Flushed, breathless, and completely trusting me.

A soft piece of dark blue lace catches my attention, and I can't help the low groan that escapes me.