“Are you sure I can’t buy you a new bed?” I offer—just as I have on every previous night.
She laughs before refusing, exactly as she has every other time.
“I’m sure. Absolutely.”
I exhale loudly.
“And if I buy a bed for myself? Will you sleep in it?” Nina turns in my arms, pressing her chest to mine.
“Don’t you already have a bed?” she asks, brow arched.
“Very funny…” She chuckles, but the moment doesn’t last.
Her eyes drift somewhere deep inside her own thoughts with alarming speed, and I discover I’m more selfish than I ever believed—because I realize I don’t want to share her, not even with her own mind. Not here. Not now.
“What is it?” I ask, cupping her cheek with my hand.
Nina blinks, returning to me, and slowly shakes her head.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she admits.
I frown, but nod.
“Do you want to sleep?” I ask.
She shakes her head again.
“I can’t. I’m too restless.” I nod once more as my thumb slides up and down her cheek. “I think I’ll make some tea.”
A wicked smile curves my lips.
“I know a very good one.”
“Fennel?” she asks.
“It’s sweet…” I whisper, bringing my lips close to hers.
Nina tilts her head against my arm, thoughtful. Stifling a laugh is a serious exercise in control.
“Sweet grass?” she asks, still not catching my meaning.
I shift, moving over her so my thighs frame hers.
“It’s hard too,” I whisper in her ear and lick behind it.
I blow cool air over the skin still wet with my saliva, and Nina squirms beneath me. She lifts her hands, slowly tracing the sides of my body, narrowing her eyes as realization finally dawns.
“You’re exactly the kind of friend my mom always warned me not to make.”
“Friend, huh?” I bite along her jaw, dragging my teeth down to her throat, sucking there without mercy and licking the mark until a moan slips from her mouth.
“So you’re not my enemy?” she teases, keeping the game going as I grind my cock against her and bring my right hand up to her throat. Nina grabs my wrist with both hands and smiles provocatively.
“Are you going to kill me?”
“I’m going to teach you how to call me the right way.”
“And what would that be?”
