"Sometimes people overreact," Darian says. "But it's part of the job, dealing with difficult personalities. But Raffi, please, let's not talk about any of that. I want to forget. I want…I want to go to bed with you."
I catch his face in my hands again and kiss him, long and deep, to show him how much I like hearing him say it. "I mean it," I say after, my voice low and serious as I lock eyes with him. "If there's something you're having a problem with, you let me know, okay?"
Darian hesitates again, his eyes searching mine before he gives a small nod. "I promise."
"Good," I say, and then I push all that out of my mind and trail a few kisses along his jaw. "I want you, sweets. Like we were about to do this morning, and got so goddamn rudely interrupted. Tell me that's what you want, too?"
His hands fist in my shirt, eyes dark with desire. "Yes, I want that. I wantyou. And I'm—you know, I'm…ready."
I think for a moment he means emotionally or something, but his face is so hot in my hands that I realize he's talking about something else completely.
He's prepped himself for me.
While I've been throwing my weight around out there and making sure the Bernardis don't do anything dumb, he's been in here getting ready.
Forme.
The idea of it lights up something primal in my brain. I pull him close, tasting his lips again. All the tension, all the worry and frustrations of this day bleed away, replaced by one overwhelming need: to possess this man. To make himmine. To pour out inside him and leave my claim there?—
God, I'd love that, but I need to slow down, be sensible. Darian is clinging to me, trembling a little. But his lips are eager, his quiet sounds of pleasure urging me on.
"Alright," I murmur, my hands fumbling slightly on the buttons of his shirt as desire still clouds my senses.
"Raffi," Darian whispers, his voice trembling ever so slightly. "I want you to—to be like the other times."
Darian has always been so uptight, so controlled, it drives me crazy to hear him ask me to strip all that away from him—but I don't want to mistake what he's asking for. I need to be careful with him. Need to be sure. "You want me to take charge again?" I ask.
"Yes. But please…go slowly. Okay?"
"Of course." My voice is barely more than a croak, but the intensity behind it is undeniable. I guide Darian backwards towards the bed, nudging his knees to bend until he sinks onto the mattress. He looks up at me with wide, trusting eyes, cheeks flushed and lips kiss-swollen.
"You're so beautiful," I murmur, cupping his face. He ducks his head shyly and I chuckle. "Don't hide from me now."
Darian peers up at me through his lashes, a faint smile curving his lips. "I'm not used to compliments like that."
"Get used to them." I run my fingers through his hair, watching his face. "Because I aim to show you as well as tell you."
A soft gasp escapes him as I reach into his shirt and roll his nipple in my fingers. His hand covers mine for a moment, stilling it. I look into his face, concerned I've pushed too fast. But Darian merely gives me a tremulous smile.
"I'm not…very experienced. Not like you."
Realization dawns. I soften my touch. "You've never been with a guy before?"
"Anyone," he mutters. "I've never been with…anyone. That's why—I know you wanted me to come to your room the other night," he says in a rush, "and I wanted to, Idid, but I was worried I might not know what I was doing and I…" He trails off, embarrassed when he shouldn't be.
"It's not so big a deal," I tell him. I lie down beside him and press a gentle kiss to his forehead, hand sliding down to rest on his waist. "Don't be nervous. You set the pace here. And if you want to stop any time, you just say so, and we'll stop."
He searches my face, and seems to find the reassurance he's looking for as he nods. "I trust you."
Those three words make my chest tighten. I cradle his face in my hands, gazing into those gold-tinged eyes of his. "I'm going to treat you so good, sweets."
I seal my promise with a soft, lingering kiss. When I draw back, Darian's eyes are hazy with desire and something more—something that makes my heart stutter in my chest. I swallow hard against a surge of emotion and take his mouth again with mine, slow and deep.
His hands slide into my shirt, tentative touches lighting up sparks along my skin. I hum my encouragement as I touch him, too. Darian is all lean muscle and sharp angles, but there's a vulnerability to him that makes me ache to shield him.Cherishhim.
We strip off together, teasing and slow, and then I ease him back onto the bed, following until I'm lying on top, nestled between his thighs. We trade lazy kisses as I rock against him, the friction delicious. Darian gasps, fingers digging into my back and I still, worried I've gone too fast. But he chases my lips for more.
I nip his bottom lip. "Eager, aren't you?"
