“Shh, shhh.” Kaelith’s hands came up, cradling her face. “Shhh, Rynna. You’re okay now. I’ve got you.”
His voice was steady, calm, and her fingers loosened.
The tension in her spine gave way as her eyes locked on his—dark, familiar, deep enough to fall into.
She exhaled, and the world stopped spinning.
“Kae?”
Her focus sharpened as his face settled into view—the furrow in his brow, the crease beside his mouth, all of it shaped by concern.
She swallowed.The nightmare.
Remembering anything from whatever came before landing in this world was nearly impossible, butthat—
A shiver crept through her. She squeezed her eyes shut. She rememberedthat.
“I’m here, Rynna.”
His thumbs swept gently under her eyes, catching the remnants of tears she hadn’t realized she’d shed.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured.
Adjusting her weight, she sank deeper into his lap.
Oh.Her eyes widened as her mouth wentdry.
The press of him beneath her was unmistakable—thick and hard against the thin barrier of his pants. Larger than she’d imagined, and impossible to ignore. Her bottom lip caught between her teeth as her hips tilted forward on instinct, drawing friction through the sudden ache thrumming in her core.
Kaelith stilled beneath her.
“My dreams were, perhaps, more pleasant than yours.” His hands slid down from her face, fingers skimming her neck, tracing along her arms until both hands settled at her hips.
Bowing her head, dark hair slipped across her cheek, curtaining her view as her hands moved lower, trailing over his bare stomach to the waistband of his sleeping pants.
“These dreams.” She toyed with the fabric, tugging the edge back and forth, watching the muscles beneath his skin flex and flutter in response to her touch. “Were they of me, Kaelith?”
“Since the first night I found you.” The words came rough, nearly a growl.
His mouth opened like he meant to say more, but nothing followed, at least, not right away.
“Rynna…” He steadied himself, eyes flashing violet in the dark. “If you don’t want this…”
It felt like standing at the edge of a cliff, wind screaming around her, threatening to push her over. But what if she wanted the fall?
“Will you chase away the nightmare, Kae?” Her voice was barely a whisper as her fingers dipped beneath the waistband and his grip flexed on her hips—possessive, thumbs pressing into her skin.
“Will you do that for me?” Her gaze held his. “Can you?”
Kaelith’s mouth shut. Then he moved.
A sudden flex from his hips bucked her upward just as his arms encircled her, drawing her flush to his body. Heat surged between them as he rolled and lowered her back to the floor, palm sliding behind her head to break the fall.
Hovering above her, he bracketed her body with his own, arms planted on either side of her shoulders. His chest rose and fell with the force of a wave straining to break.
“I…” The rough stubble on his cheek grazed hers as he pressed in close.
Then—
