My fingers trace her face as I lean in, brushing her lips with mine. “You have no idea how much I meant it,” I murmur before kissing her, slower and softer this time, sealing the words.
When I draw back, she watches me for a moment, before she laughs under her breath.
“I can’t believe you just withheld an orgasm to get me to stay,” she murmurs, shaking her head, but her smile never leaves.
I lay down on her pillow, face-to-face. “Even if you said no, I would’ve made you come.”
Her eyes narrow at my admission, but there’s a smirk lining her face.
“Not letting you come would’ve been just as painful for me.”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh really?”
I shift closer. “Yes. Now I know what you sound and feel like when you…” I close my eyes, brushing my lips softly over hers as my hand moves to her stomach. “You’d never have to touch me, and I’d always be satisfied by just watching you come undone.”
Her fingers thread into my hair, and a soft groan escapes without thought.
“But what if I want to touch you?” she whispers.
“Yes. Please. Anywhere,” I blurt out each word, desperate and needy. But I don’t give a fuck, not when she’s laughing like that.
Not when I feel the smile on her lips as she kisses me.
I try to keep the kiss going, pushing forwards when she pulls back, but her fingers tighten in my hair to hold me. Normally, I’d let her know just how much I enjoy the tugs on my hair, how I’d like her to do it harder—especially the next time I taste her.
I want her to control me, seek all her pleasure from me, use me… but that might be too much in one night. So when she leans away again, I let her.
Then she levels me with a more serious expression. “This stays between us, Ze.”
Ze.
Has she ever called me that before? No. I’d remember it, because I’m never forgetting this. Because she’s given it to me.
I nod, already agreeing, even if I’m not quite sure as to what.
She must see the flicker of confusion, because she adds, “Just like what happened last night. That and this, it stays between us.”
I wince. She frowns, eyes scanning my face, then her mouth pops open on a gasp. “You didn’t.”
I suck in a breath. “I swear, I won’t tell them about this, but…” I scrunch my face. “Apparently, they were able to… hear you last night.”
She blinks, then slowly shakes her head. “How?”
“They didn’t say they heard me, so I think…” I begin cautiously, “maybe you unintentionally shared some sounds through the bond.”
“Right. So, what’s to say they didn’t just—”
“I’m pretty sure I’d know by now.” I smile, hoping to reassure her, but she doesn’t look entirely convinced. And after what we just did, the last thing I want is for her to feel exposed. “And I proactively placed a barrier around the apartment when you came inside.”
She lets out a breath, her expression softening.
“Also,” I murmur, fingers brushing her stomach. “Being physically together, touching, helps with the mental blocking.”
“Because of your…” she trails off, fingers slipping from my hair. “Your ability to…”
She’s being cautious, but why? I’ll tell her anything. All she has to do is ask.
“Meld minds,” I say. Blunt, but not harsh. She needs to know nothing is off-limits with her. Never. Not even this. “Yes, that helps. But ask me what you really want to know. Whatever you want, I’ll answer.”
