Lie. But a gentle one as if maybe he didn’t even realize it was a lie.
He grunted softly.
“You feed them.”
“Yes.”
“Give them a place to sleep?”
“Not every night.”
“They were wearing collars.”
“The vet said—”
I laughed. “Youarelooking after them.”
“Maybe,” he conceded. “Maybe I am. Funny how these things sneak up on you.”
“Things?”
“Life.”
We were quiet a moment. Two.
“How do we go back to before?” I asked.
“Mmmm. To Ordinary?” His thumb stroked my ribs gently, running over the turtle tattoo I never showed anyone.
“To our lives.”
“We don’t have to.”
I traced his chest, let my hand wander lower, along his tight stomach, pressing down the ridge of the V muscle of his groin and lower still.
“We could stay here.” He gasped as I moved my hand, gently stroking him. “Or another stone. Every stone…” I twisted my wrist and he arched, his hips seeking more friction. “Every stone in the universe is ours. Our private worlds.”
My hand was warm, but I brought it up and made sure he was watching as I licked my palm, then laved my tongue between my fingers.
“Fuck.” He rolled, settling his weight carefully on his strong arms, and holding a perfect plank position before he shifted his knees, urging me to open my legs. “Myra,” he moaned.
I lost myself to him. Because I knew this couldn’t last.
I wasn’t made to run away for my own pleasure. I wasn’t made to leave Ordinary behind, leave my sisters behind. I wasn’t made to follow my heart.
He knew that. There was no future for us after this.
But oh, how my heart wanted one.
I dragged my fingers down his wide back, wanting him nearer, but lazy in my needs.
He dropped soft kisses up my shoulder, dipping to my throat. I rocked my head back to give him access, my mind a gentle buzz of sensation, my thoughts wandering to what we’d done here. What we’d said.
Wait. Hold on. Just a second.
I shoved at Bathin’s shoulders. He lifted just enough to peer down at me, his eyelids heavy, his pupils blown from lust. His mouth was reddened, shiny, his hair a mess.
He looked ravaged, and sexy as hell.
