His breath catches and his hands flex, squeezing hard.
Before I can stop myself, the smallest squeak slips out.
Knox rips himself away. His back slams into the side of the truck, and Shade shouts from inside as it rocks.
I’m reeling, blinking rapidly in confusion. Why did the kissing stop?
"Ah, fuck. Princess, I hurt you," he says, eyes frantic, wiping the back of his hand over his kiss-swollen lips.
“What? No, you didn’t. I’m fine,” I shake my head, holding out a hand to invite him to keep doing that thing with his tongue.
He recoils back.
“I did. I squeezed you too hard.”
"No, no. I mean, maybe you did, but I liked everything you were doing."
His eyes shutter. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have touched you like that."
"Like what? Firmly? Like an Alpha touches his Omega?"
His eyes flash up to mine, the hunger still simmering there.
“You need to trust me to tell you if it hurts, but I’m tougher than you think. Your touch won’t break me. After all, I'm built to take what you can give, Alpha," I purr, stepping into his space, running my hand over the tense muscles of his chest.
His throat bobs as he swallows.
"I trust you, Halley. I just don't trust myself."
Itclicks.
Despite being the most dominant person I've ever met, inthisarena, he needs me to take the lead. I need to show him that he doesn’t have to wait until he has figured out how to be soft with me. I don’t need him to be anything but himself.
I can be brave enough for both of us.
I glide my hand down his shirt, enjoying the way his abs jump like my touch is electrified.
"You're so pent up. You're always watching and making sure we're safe, but when do you get to relax?"
I slip a finger beneath his belt buckle and tug.
"Fuck."
“Mhm, yeah, that’s the idea, Prime,” I remark coyly, shooting him a wink.
He gulps. "Halley, we have to leave soon."
I tilt my head to the side and smile. "So let me give you a little relief before we go."
He looks like he's going to say no.
My lips form a pout. "Let your Omega take care of you."
He starts to shake his head, and I look up at him through my eyelashes. "Please, Alpha?"
His head falls back, hitting the truck with a loud clang and he stares up at the gray clouds swirling above Blackgate Fortress, searching for an answer that isn't there. He scrubs his hands over his face.
It's not an enthusiastic yes, but it's not a no yet, either.
