“Sleep with me.”
“I meansleep-sleep.”
“I know what you mean,” he said, a touch warning. “I want you to sleep here. With me.” He hooked the bone belt back around his waist, his eyes on mine. “I’ll behave. Mostly.”
I scoffed. “No you won’t. And that’s another thing,” I said. “I’m sore.” I bit my lip, fighting a flicker of embarrassment. “So unless you want a moratorium on sex for the next week, you might want to give me at leastonenight to recover.”
He stared at me, startled. “I’ve been too rough? You should’ve said––”
“No.” I shook my head, flushing hotter. “No, you’re fine. It’s normal to get sore, especially when you haven’t had sex in a long time. And you’re…” I motioned vaguely in the direction of his crotch. “You’re not small, Bones.”
He frowned, but in a way I knew meant he was thinking. When he looked over next, I saw a flicker of heat in his irises.
“You haven’t had sex in a long time?” he asked.
Realizing what I’d said, I pressed my lips together, fighting not to curse at myself aloud.
“I wasn’t trying to––”
“How long, Shadow?”
I exhaled. “What does it matter?”
“If it doesn’t matter, then just tell me––”
“You’re the first person I’ve had sex with in Magique,” I blurted, cutting him off. I threw up my hands at his silence. “You’re the first mage. There. Okay? You can do the math. You know when I got here.”
He stared at me, and I cursed myself inwardly again, for letting him needle me into telling him that. I had no idea how he was going to react, or frankly, why it would even surprise him. Despite all of his “whore” comments and cracks, pretty much from day one, he had to know I wasn’t actually getting around at school. Even if I’d wanted to shag half the mages in Malcroix, London, and Bonescastle, most of them wouldn’t want anything to do with me.
He let out a scoffing, derisive laugh.
“Amun’s cock, you aredelusional,”he said.
I frowned at him. “Didn’t we talk about you reading me without asking?”
Still scoffing faintly, he walked towards me, now entirely dressed, and entirely in costume. I found myself watching him warily, even as I realized I was struggling not to react to him, even now. He didn’t hesitate, but walked up and wrapped his arms around me.
“Come over,” he said.
I huffed at him. My fingers wrapped around his arms. “What about my poor cat?”
“Spoil her and pet her and feed her treats tomorrow. I want to do that to you tonight.” He leaned down and kissed my cheek. “Anyway, you owe me.”
“Ioweyou?” I scoffed. “Please explain.”
“I made you a birthday cake.” he said. “And you never showed.”
I stared at him, completely thrown. “No, you didn’t.”
He laughed. “I did, though. I was going to try and tempt my little kitten with treats. I made you a cake. I had thoughts of backrubs and foot rubs and clumsy, extremely obvious attempts to snog you on my couch.” He cleared his throat. “I even got you a real present,” he said. “I don’t mean the back rub. I mean a non-selfish, non-excuse-to-touch-you present. If you come over, I’ll give it to you now. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until Yule.”
I stared up at him, bewildered. “Who are you?”
His mouth twitched, right before he bent down and kissed me.
“Come back with me, or I’ll abduct you,” he murmured in my ear. “I won’t try to fuck you, I promise. I’ll give you a back rub. I’ll feed you cake and pomegranates, and rub your feet. Then we can take all of our clothes off and sleep.”
I laughed, even as a shiver ran through me.
