She didn't need to.
He brushed two fingers down her cheek. "Amazing?"
She huffed a weak laugh. "Addictive."
He sobered immediately. "You know that the venom…"
"Yes," she interrupted him with a finger on his lips. "It's okay. We'll know if we are meant for each other long before the addiction settles."
He already knew that they were fated, but he would leave her to figure it out on her own.
"How do you feel?" He stroked her arm, letting her return at her own pace.
"Boneless," she muttered, trying to push herself upright. "Like I don't have a care in the world."
He slid an arm behind her back, lifting her into a sitting position against the pillows. She leaned into him, head resting against his shoulder.
Her hand drifted across his abdomen, tracing him lightly, almost absently—until it wasn't absent at all. Her fingers dipped lower, brushing against his erection, and he sucked in a breath.
She stilled. "Too soon?"
"No," he croaked. "Not too soon."
She pulled back enough to meet his eyes. Hers were clearer now, still soft from the venom's afterglow, but bright with intent.
She pushed on his shoulder until he was on his back, and then she climbed over him, straddling his hips. The warmth of her body seeped into him, her thighs bracketing him, her hands planted firmly on his chest.
He swallowed hard.
"And I want to feel this with clear senses, and not just the venom's echo. Thank you for giving this to me."
Desire tore through him.
He sat up, sliding his hands over her hips, bracing her against him. "Tell me what you need."
She leaned in, tracing her lips along his collarbone. "I need you to stop being careful."
"Tula…"
"I came harder than I ever have in my life, but my body is still hungry." She rocked her hips against him, a teasing pressure that instantly stiffened every muscle in his body. "Don't hold back."
"I don't want to overwhelm you."
"I want to be overwhelmed." She cupped his jaw, her eyes blazing with inner glow. "Let go."
The commanded request did the trick. His restraint snapped for the second time tonight, and desire punched the air from his lungs.
His hands slid down her thighs, slow and reverent, before he guided her closer. She braced her knees at his sides, lowering herself carefully until the heat of her hovered above him.
Her breath shivered. "Esag…"
He steadied her by the hips. "I've got you."
She sank onto him, inch by inch, her body tight and extraordinarily warm. Her breath hitched, her fingers clutching his shoulders as her muscles stretched around him. She paused halfway, eyes closing, adjusting to the intrusion with a soft exhale.
He forced himself to stay still.
"Slow?" he asked.
