"Why did you kiss me?"
Rickon went very still. For a long moment, he didn't answer, and I wondered if I'd made a mistake. Then he spoke, his voice low and careful.
"Gudari do not kiss," he said. "It is not something we do. But I have seen it many times with my comrades and their human mates." He paused, and something flickered in his eyes. Something vulnerable and raw. "I wanted to try it. Especially with you."
My heart was pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it over the wind. "Especially with me?"
"Yes." The word was almost a growl. "From the moment I first saw you, I have wanted…." He cut himself off, jaw clenching. "It was inappropriate. I apologize."
"Don't," I said quickly. "Don't apologize. I just…." I took a breath, trying to steady myself. "How did you like it? The kiss, I mean."
His eyes darkened, pupils dilating until only a thin ring of brown remained. "It was the most pleasurable thing I have ever experienced."
Oh God. The way he said it, with such raw honesty, sent heat flooding through me. The tent suddenly felt way too small and way too warm. I leaned toward him, unable to help myself.
"Ellie." My name on his lips was a warning and a plea all at once.
I didn't care anymore. About protocol, about propriety, about all the very good reasons, this was a terrible idea. I was so tired of being careful, of being the President, and feeling like my every move was fodder for dissection. For once, I just wanted to simply be Ellie.
And Ellie wanted Rickon.
I closed the distance between us and kissed him.
His response was immediate and overwhelming. His hands came up to cup my face, gentle despite their strength, and he kissed me back with an intensity that made my head spin. It was different from our first kiss—deeper, hungrier, like he'd been holding himself back before, and now the dam had broken.
I couldn't get close enough. My hands landed on his shoulders, pulling him toward me as I pressed myself against the solid warmth of his chest. He made a low sound deep in his throat that sent shivers down my spine, and then his hands were in my hair, his mouth hot and demanding against mine.
We stumbled backward together until we collapsed onto the sleeping bags, a tangle of limbs, and desperate kisses. Every touch sent electricity racing through me. I felt the hard planes of his body against mine, the barely restrained strength in his hands as they roamed over my back, my sides, leaving trails of fire in their wake.
This was happening. This was really happening, and I wanted it more than I'd wanted anything in a long time.
But there was something I needed first.
I pulled back just enough to speak, breathless. "Rickon. Turn off the cuddwisg."
He went very still beneath me. "Ellie?"
"Please." I touched his face, tracing the line of his jaw with trembling fingers. "I want to see you. The real you."
"You don't know what you're asking." His voice was strained. "My true form... it may frighten you."
"It won't." I smiled, remembering the glimpses of copper skin and leathery wings when we first met at Area 51. "I've already seen you, remember, and I thought you were gorgeous even then."
"That was different," he pressed. "You were across the room. We are much closer now, and…."
"And I still want to see you." I kissed him softly, then met his eyes. "I always liked the Tim Curry character inLegendbetter than Tom Cruise anyway."
He blinked, confusion flickering across his face. "I don't understand the reference."
I couldn't help giggling. "It's an old movie. Tom Cruise is the hero—pretty, perfect, and boring. But Tim Curry plays this demon lord character. He's got horns and red skin, and he's supposed to be the villain, but...." I smiled. "He was always more interesting to me. More beautiful, in a way. The darkness didn't make him less attractive. It made him more."
Rickon stared at me for a long moment, something vulnerable and hopeful flickering in those dark brown eyes, something that made my chest ache.
I kissed him again, soft, and sure. "Turn it off. Let me see you."
His hand moved to his waist, hesitating for just a second before he pressed the device. "As you wish."
I started to tease him for thePrincess Bridereference, but realized it was simply sweet, wonderful Rickon, and the words died in my throat.
