“Athena, look at me,” I say with a commanding, yet soft voice. She does as I say, those emerald eyes coming back into focus. “That’s it. Can I touch your hand?” I ask.
Athena offers me her right hand without hesitation, her eyes never leaving mine. I gently guide it to my chest, resting the palm of her hand over my heart. I cover her hand with mine, pressing it against my warmth. Athena’s fingers curl into my shirt and she pulls me closer. I gladly oblige, stepping into her personal space. I’ll be whatever she needs.
“I’m so exhausted,” she whispers, swaying toward me. I gather her up in my arms, relieved when she melts against me. “Not just physically, but like… soul-tired. Does that make anysense? I don’t belong anywhere, but I keep running, hoping to find… something. I don’t know anymore. I don’t have a home or a family or, or, or…”
“I’ve got you,” I murmur against the top of her head before tucking it under my chin. My hand spreads out over her back, stroking her spine up and down in what I hope is a comforting gesture. “You can rest now, Athena. You’ve earned peace and quiet, and you deserve to feel safe and wanted. Always. I’m sorry life hasn’t been very kind to you.”
Her tears soak through my shirt as she clings to me. My trembling goddess lets out years of built-up heartbreak, anger, and injustice as she trembles and sobs in my arms. I scoop her up and sit on the mattress with her in my lap.
“That’s it,” I whisper, my lips grazing the shell of her ear. “I’ll hold you through it all. Don’t fight it, precious girl. Feel whatever you need to feel.”
Gut-twisting sobs wrack her body, and she fists my shirt as she buries her face into the side of my neck. My woman lets out every suppressed emotion while I cradle her against my chest, holding all the pieces of her broken heart together.
Eventually, Athena cries herself out. I lean back slightly, just enough to see her tear-stained cheeks and red, puffy eyes. I can’t stop myself from brushing her tears away and pressing my lips to her forehead. I wish I could take all of her trauma away, but I’ll have to settle for filling the rest of her life with so much light and love, the darkness will be a thing of the past.
I gently untangle Athena from my arms and encourage her to climb into bed. She does, pulling the covers up to her chin. I smile and run to the bathroom to wet down a washcloth. When I get back, I sit on the edge of the mattress and tenderly clean the tears from her face.
I’m about to grab the extra blanket and pillow from the closet and stretch out on the floor, but then something incrediblehappens. Athena pulls the covers back and pats the spot next to her in bed.
Slowly, I sit on the edge of the bed, careful not to jostle her too much. “Are you sure, Athena?” I ask, taking her hand in mine. I brush the pad of my thumb over her knuckles, admiring her silky smooth skin. “Despite my alleged stalking, I’d never truly violate your space.” She nods. “I would never take what you don’t freely offer, and I will never, ever treat you the way your father did.”
“I know,” she whispers. “That’s why I’m sure. I want you next to me.” The sweet moment stretches between us, and I feel closer to her than I have with anyone. Ever. “Besides, you earned it, stalker boy,” she teases.
I grin and join her under the covers, giving Athena plenty of space. Just because she said I could sleep next to her doesn’t necessarily mean she wants me to cuddle her. Though, Jesus, I really want to hold her all night.
“You’re so far away,” Athena points out. Even in the darkness of the room, I can see her adorable little pouty lip.
“Just don’t want to crowd your space,” I explain.
“Can I crowd yours?”
I snap my head in her direction, locking eyes with my beautiful woman. “You don’t have to do–”
Athena scoots over and rests her head on my shoulder, looking up at me as if to ask if this is okay. I nod and open my arm up, encouraging her to snuggle up against my chest. The bright, giddy smile on her face heals all of the cracks in my heart, and I vow to make her smile like that at least once a day.
As soon as her head hits my chest, Athena’s eyes close and her body relaxes. She’s asleep before I even pull the covers over us.
I slowly blinkmy eyes open, unsure what woke me. The first golden rays of morning sunlight peek through the edges of the curtains, letting me know it’s still early.
More awareness floods my body, and I look down to see the most gorgeous sight. Athena is sound asleep and wrapped around me like a spider monkey. I’m on my back while she’s draped over my chest, her head tucked under my chin. My dick springs to life when I realize she’s straddling me, her hips gently rocking up and down.
Jesus Christ.This is all I’ve wanted since I first saw Athena storm through that auction house. My cock twitches, growing harder by the second. I’m about to adjust her so I don’t scare her away by being a creep, but then I hear the sweetest, sexiest little moan fall from her lips.
“Wraith,” she whimpers, her thighs tightening around my hips. I tip my head back, swallowing down a growl. Athena rubs her pussy against me, burying her head into the side of my neck. She’s still asleep, but fuck, she’s having a sexy dream about me. That thought has the fucker in my pants leaking precum like a faucet.
I want to do so many things to her soft, curvy little body, but I’d never take advantage of her, especially after everything she’s been through.
My fists clench at my sides, shaking with the need to touch her. It physically hurts not to grab her hips and grind her hot little cunt against my cock or tangle my fingers in her dark hair and tilt her head up so I can claim her lips.
But this is about her comfort and pleasure.
I bite the side of my cheek and take measured breaths as this sexy as hell woman rubs herself against me, moaning softly in her sleep while she uses me to get off. Fucking hell, my muscles tense and my whole body trembles, the need to flip her over on her back and sink into her eager pussy nearly choking me.
My aching dick swells up even more when Athena scrapes her teeth down my throat and moans loudly. I feel her damp heat through the fabric of my thin cotton boxers. I can tell the only thing she has on is her oversized sleep shirt. No underwear.
My hips jerk, thrusting up on their own when I feel her pussy lips spread around my thickness. Athena whimpers as she grinds down on my barely covered cock. She’s fucking soaking the material with her juices.
I fist the sheets in my hands, bowing my back off the mattress, the pain of restraint jacking up my heartbeat and making me sweat.
