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That came out of nowhere, and made me give him a confused look. "What now?"
"I'm fucking nervous," he admitted. "All night with her? Alone?"
"And no expectations," I assured him. "I'm doing this for me, remember? You're just making sure she's not alone. No expectations, no hints. Trust me."
Then I hurried to catch up with Nari and Talin. Wraythe didn't. I knew he was already trying to convince himself that something had changed, she wasn't interested in him like that, or such. I also knew that while he liked all four of us hanging out together, he really longed for a little time alone with the girl of his dreams. That meant my timing was perfect.
Because if I made this all about me, it took the pressure off him. I'd already made it clear to Nari that I wanted a night with Talin. She'd already made it clear she had no problem with that. Wraythe didn't need to know that I'd mentioned a few other things. So long as I kept the focus on whatIneeded, this would all work out. All those two needed was a little time to themselves, and if nothing else, Talin would agree with that.
"Hey, Nari?" I asked when I got close enough. "Um, I know you want a bath, but I'm dying to know what Talin and Zeal talked about. You ok with me leaving Wraythe with you?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Uh huh."
"What are we doing?" Talin asked.
"Well, it's the weekend, no classes in the morning, and I thought we could... talk." I looked at Nari, who was biting her lips together in an attempt not to grin at me. "What?" I asked her.
"You really need a better excuse. Like how your guardian has no interest in giving another man a massage. Howsoreyour muscles are. Something."
Talin was just nodding slowly as he finally realized what I was planning. "You good with this, Nari?"
"So good," she promised as we turned down our hall. "Breakfast in the morning?"
"It's a date," I agreed. "And he's nervous."
"I am not," Talin objected.
"Wraythe," I breathed. "He just agreed to watch over her all night long."
Talin closed his eyes and let out a relieved sigh. "Finally. Take it slow, Nari. Let him see he's not the only one who's vulnerable. Bang on my door when you're up in the morning?"
She grabbed Talin's hand, squeezed quickly, then turned back for Wraythe. And just like that, the four of us had an agreement. Talin immediately moved to my side as if he were my own guardian.
"I think I'm starting to figure you out," he said, glancing over with his piercing blue eyes.
"Don't count on it," I promised. "Because I know there's a reason youstillhaven't put that shirt on."
"Because it stinks?" He pressed it into my chest, forcing me to take it. "Next time, you should strip yours off too. I know you wear your pants loose enough to show off the marks on your hips."
"And let everyone in the Salle see that I'm not a big, strong guardian? Not happening." I tossed his shirt over my shoulder, deciding that he and I had a very different idea of what smelled bad. "My ego could never take that."
Talin chuckled. "Your ego is a shield, and one you use to protect her." He looked over again. "Next time, lose the shirt, or I'll have to take it off you myself."
"Kinda what I was hoping you'd say."
Chapter 14
Eladehl
Talin glanced back as he opened the door to his room, checking on Nari one last time. Wraythe was beside her, the giant's head down as he listened to whatever she was saying. I noticed, but still stepped into the room - and Talin was right on my heels. The tension was simmering, his slick, bare skin so close, but I had to wait until the door was closed before I could reach for him.
My hands found his ribs and slid higher. He leaned in, his mouth aiming for mine while his hand fumbled to secure the lock. The moment our lips met, nothing else mattered. Fuck, but he kissed hard. I heard the click, proving our privacy was secure, and then felt him working at my shirt. Reaching behind my head, I grabbed a handful of cloth and pulled while he lifted, baring my chest. He tossed the fabric somewhere, his shirt tangled inside mine, but I had no idea where it went. His mouth was already back on mine.
I sucked at his tongue, grabbing the back of his neck to pull him closer. He let me, only because he was grabbing for my ass. Hard. One handful of my butt cheek was enough to tug my hips against his, and I could feel the ridge of his erection. Thrusting against him, the edge of his ring teased me, adding just a little more friction. Fabric ground together, the sound like a warning, but I didn't fucking care.
It was hard to tell which of us was steering the other, but kiss by kiss, we managed to move toward the bed. Our mouths clashed, tongues dueling as we both tried to take control. I could feel his chest flex each time he pulled me against him, encouraging me to keep grinding. I did, but my hands also explored.
Talin had biceps that I wanted to feel, and the muscles of his abs were like mountains and valleys, begging me to get lost in them. I gave a hand to each, unable to decide what I liked more. And then my fingers tripped over his belly button, skipping down to the button on his pants. My fingers slipped inside, the backs of my knuckles against his skin, but I forced myself to pause.
