“Sit,” Eve ordered abruptly. “I didn’t tell you to go anywhere.”
I returned to my seat as she stood over me. “I thought we had a different conversation before, honey.”
Her hand grazed across my shoulders before she took Jude’s spot beside me, sitting with her legs tucked beneath her, facing outwards, opposite the way I did. “We did. I’m just… I’m so tired, Archer.”
She turned her head to face me, some of her hair tumbling out of the messy bun she’d tied it into over dinner. I risked capturing one, winding the silky strand around my finger.Breath stalled in my chest with her so close that I couldn't take another.
“I know, honey. You want me to sleep down here so you know you’re safe tonight?” It was a poor offer. I would have done it anyway, and we both knew that.
“Maybe.” Her fingers twisted in her lap. I fought the urge to draw her closer. “The house is always so quiet now.”
“You kicked them out,” I said reasonably.
“But they aren’t the company I want.” She faced me in full, pulling her hair from my grip, angling one knee up on the bench. “What happened, Rhys? What changed when I wasn't looking?” Her eyes widened, searching my face for answers that I couldn't give her.
“I don’t know, honey. But I promised I’d stay, and I’m not leaving you alone again, alright? I promise you, Eve,” I said in a low voice. “Not even if you kick me out. I’m here.”
“But I’m not the girl you can have forever with,” she whispered, her pretty eyes shimmering until the burnt cinnamon color was consumed amongst a sea of shattered hazel.
I cupped a hand at her nape, massaging small circles there until her eyes closed. The tears she’d held at bay spilled over. I brushed those away carefully with the pad of my thumb. “You want to tell me something, Evie?” I murmured. “Anything at all?”
She shook her head, denying what I knew was coming. My stomach clenched, waiting on the inevitable. “I?—”
But she couldn't. What wasn’t said hung between us. I slid my hands around her as she stilled, letting me lift her onto my lap. I kept every movement slow and even, giving her plenty of time to push me away or tell meno. She never did, even when I checked in with her.
“Eve, tell me to put you down any time, alright?” I kept my massage on her nape a constant.
She shook her head. “I don’t want you to stop.” The tears flowed harder as I nodded, pressing butterfly light kisses to her eyelids and cradled her to me.
“I’m not gonna let you go, honey. But I want to kiss you. You can say no—” I swore my heart broke on that offer alone. “—If you want. Anything you need to say no to, you go right ahead. Alright?"
She nodded, and tipped her head back. “Please?”
The sound that ripped from my throat was feral and low. I bit it back, unwilling to scare her. My mouth touched hers, the kiss soft and sweet and brief. I pulled back after the lightest contact, but she shook her head.
“More, Rhys. Like the night in your cabin.”
I breathed hard, every fantasy I’d had of this woman for the past minute coming true at once. But she seemed so fucking fragile and the thought of hurting her scared me. “Evie, I don't want to cross any boundaries with you.” I nuzzled at her throat as she moaned for me, twisting on my lap, seeking my mouth.
I finally let our lips contact again, gliding my tongue across the seam of her mouth. She gasped for me, arching in my arms. I let out the groan I’d been holding back, and covered her mouth with mine, pushing my way inside. Just the thought of being close to her was intoxicating, The feel of Eve beneath my hands became my new religion. I pulled her body against mine, needing to feel her closer. The warmth of her body seeped into mine.
“Christ, I need you,” I rasped into her mouth.
The tip of her tongue flicked against mine, her soft sigh as she let me in, sending a shot of pure need straight to my cock.
Her breasts pressed into my hands, and I played with a taut nipple, plucking and pinching until she writhed in a hot mess over my legs. I flicked one button on her dress, then the next, rubbing her cheek with my chin, the rasp of my stubble enoughto draw a gasp from her. I dipped my head to lick her exposed cleavage, sucking on her flesh hard enough to mark.
Eve moaned for me, holding me to her as I sucked her nipple free from the material and flicked it with my tongue. She moaned, twisting beneath my ministrations. The dress material twisted as I pulled on it and raised my head.
“Eve, let me take you upstairs. Somewhere better than this—” I gestured to the long table with its hard wooden benches.
Eve’s hands on my chest, pushing back were a douse of cold water.
“Stop,” she murmured, shoving backwards.
I caught her before she fell off my lap, helping her readjust her dress. “Eve,” I rasped, near shaking my head to clear it. “I scared you. I’m sorry. That was too fast.”
“No. I shouldn’t have. I know better.” She stared up[ at me still panting. “I just— I miss human contact so much. I missyou.”
