“Because you love me.” She didn’t ask, she understood.
My pulse roared in my ears, and I nodded. “Because I loved you even when I didn’t know how. Even if I can’t take any ofyoursorrows away.” I’d expected judgment, but not this—this careful, curious touch intent on memorizing every line on my side.
“Then show me,” she said, her voice steady but her breathing uneven.
I swallowed hard, reached behind my neck, and slowly lifted my shirt over my head, letting her see it all again—the bird, the notes, the scars.
Her breath caught, and her thumb stroked slowly over the edge of the tattoo, sealing the words into my skin.
“Let’s move past hurt together, Linc. It’s time.”
My pulse slammed in my ears. “Now?”
Her lips curved, not teasing, but sure. “Now. So we can both be happy.”
I caught her wrist gently but firmly, keeping her hand pressed to my side as I leaned in. “You’re sure?” My voice was low, hoarse.
She nodded, her breath shaky but steady. “Yes.”
I kissed her then, deep, slow. She’d claimed me in every other kiss, but this was the very first time I felt like I could claimher. My other hand slid to the back of her neck, holding her there, and she melted into me. Her fingers curled into my ribs, pulling me closer until I was half sprawled over her on the couch, forearms catching my weight.
When I broke the kiss, I stayed close enough to feel her breath on my lips. “You’re going to tell me if you need to stop. If it’s too much.”
“I will,” she promised, her voice small but certain.
I stood, drawing her up with me, my fingers laced with hers. “Your bedroom?” The question came out rough.
She held the moment for half a heartbeat, savoring the weight of the choice, then lead me down the short hallway. My chest thundered. Want and lust inconsequential words to grasp the magnitude of what I felt.
Once in the room, I stopped her near the bed, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. I patted my pockets for the rescue inhaler, placing it on her nightstand, then kissed her jaw as she eyed the inhaler. “I’ve read you may need it, babe.”
“You’ve read up on sex and asthma?” she asked, facing me.
I nodded. “It wasn’t reassuring enough. Tell me what I can’t do.”
Her smile tilted, a little shy but mischievous. “You can do anything you want. Just—” Her eyes flew to the inhaler on the nightstand with a pointed look. “Keep me near it.”
I kissed her again, softer this time, reverent. “I’ve got you,” I murmured against her lips.
I placed open-mouthed kisses over her jaw, down to the crook of her neck. She outlined my spine with her fingers, goosebumps prickling all over my torso. I nipped at her collarbone lightly, and her breath turned to a hitched laugh.
“You’re ticklish.”
She nodded, sitting up and taking off her top, leaving a purple lace bra exposed. Her breasts swelled with her breathing, the darker skin of her areola almost peeking from the cup.
“Don’t do that again,” I warned, my voice low enough to make her breath catch. I knelt between her legs, my palms gliding up her thighs slow enough to make her shiver. “When you’re in bed, flushed and aching for me, I choose.”
I paused, letting the words hang there as my thumbs traced lazy circles on her skin.
“If you trust me,” I added, my tone softening.
She nodded, biting her lip.
“Good.” I tugged her toward me until she lifted her hips, then kissed and licked every inch of skin I undressed, my hands on the outside of her thighs, my tongue on the inside. The scent of her desire was driving me mad.
I kept my hands on her, drawing languid patterns up and down her legs while I took a minute to memorize every curve of her. I’d never undress her for the first time again, and I’d be damned if I wouldn’t imprint every single moment into my brain.
Her breath hitched. “You’re staring.”
