“Oh,” she gasped, her breaths coming in short, rapid bursts. She closed her eyes and shifted against his hand. “That feels nice.”
Zac grinned, taking the cue and slowly sliding his fingers higher on her midriff, stopping under one full breast. She stilled as their eyes met, his fingers gently tracing circles on her waist. They stared at each other, neither moving, as they drank each other in. His hair was disheveled from sleep, and she lifted a hand to smooth her own.
“Leave it,” his words stopped her hands in their efforts. “It's perfect as it is.”
She dropped her hands and left her hair in what Zac thought was adorable disarray.
“Are you feeling better?”
She looked better, much better. The color had returned to her cheeks, and the dark circles under her eyes had disappeared. But Zac found he needed to hear confirmation from her own lips.
“I am. Thank you for staying with me.” She smiled, a small dimple appearing on one cheek.
Zac had never considered a dimple sexy. Yet, everything about Laila was sexy, including her dimple.
“It was not a problem to see to your care.”
He removed his hand slowly, reluctant to let her go, and sat up, feet on the floor. He was almost fully dressed, having only removed his boots and jacket.
He reached for his boots.
“Zac?”
He turned to face her, an eyebrow raised. “So I'm Zac now, am I? Not Commander Qu'Rell?” He asked with a smile.
Laila knew nothing of his past, of the expectations of his parents, or of his struggles since his injuries. He felt seen for who he was, who he truly was, when she called him by his name.
“I think it's a bit late for that, isn't it?” She asked, an eyebrow quirked in question.
“It was a bit late for that from the first time I saw you, Laila,” he admitted with a wry smile.
“Come back to bed.” She patted the mattress beside her.
He groaned, running his fingers through his hair and looking between the door and Laila in indecision. “If I get in that bed with you, it will not be to sleep,” he said simply. “So be very sure of what it is you are asking.”
She pushed herself up; the sheet sliding down to pool around her waist. Her breasts strained against the fabric of her top, her nipples hardening as his gaze dropped to caress them.
“I want you, Zac.”
