I topple backwards with a soft oomph, angling our bodies as I fall back on the small sofa so Lor’s body covers mine. I’m leaning against the low armrest, partially reclined with my legs bent and feet on the floor, and the most heavenly weight straddling my thighs.
Her lips are soft but demanding when they meet mine, somehow more perfect than I dreamed they’d be. My hands clench on her waist, pulling her into me as I hum with satisfaction into her mouth. Lor’s tongue licks my lips and I part them for her, only for her to pull back slightly.
Before I can react, her tongue swipes out again, this time licking the side of my mouth, right over my lip ring. My lips quirk into a smug smile, but it quickly falls when she doesn’t stop. Her lips close over my bottom one, and her teeth tug while her tongue plays with my ring. Is this what she’s thinking about every time I notice her staring at it?
She sucks on my lower lip, slowly pulling away until she lets it go with a pop. I lunge after her, taking her lips with mine this time and demanding access to her mouth in return as heatflares through me. Her tongue battles mine, teeth nipping as our mouths fight for dominance, and I flip our positions, turning her onto her back under me. I yank her hips into mine and her legs circle me, holding me to her or her to me—I can’t be sure, but I’m not about to complain.
This is as close to nirvana as I’ve ever been.
I snake a hand into her hair, then use my grip to tip her chin up, forcing her mouth to relinquish mine. She cuts off what I’m sure was about to be a whimpered protest, but I ignore it, turning my attention to tracing her jaw with my tongue. I lick and kiss down her neck, sucking over her pulse point and demanding it leaves a mark for everyone to see.
“Ro,” Lor says, breathless and shuddering.
My name has never sounded so good and the last thing I want to do is stop, but I sense the question in her tone. I lick up her throat and nip her earlobe, sending another cascade of shivers down her body before I pull back.
I hate the inches between us, and my demon wants nothing more than totake.That’s not who I want to be though, so I force the urge down, quelling it with the uncertain, skittish look on Lor’s face.
I’ve never known her to be unsure of anything, and it’s enough to sound alarm bells in my head.
“Lor?” I whisper, backing off to give her space. “What is it? Did I go too far?”
Her hands follow my body as I pull away, giving me a moment of hope, but then she seems to notice the subconscious action and hugs her arms around her middle instead. I bite my lip to keep my protest inside. I want her wrapped around me again, but if that’s not what she wants, I need to respect it.
“Please,” I say, trying to keep the desperation from my voice. “Talk to me?”
“I…” Lor shakes her head, biting her lip as she turns her face away.
I practice the deep breathing my therapist taught me. Four in, four hold, six out, four hold.
Lor sucks in a breath and turns back to me. Her eyes search mine, flicking back and forth, then she runs her gaze down to where my hands are curled into the hem of my own shirt, doing everything I can not to reach for her.
“We don’t have to go any further,” I say. “We don’t even have to do that ever again, if you don’t want to.”
Her body stiffens and my heart falls, but then she shakes her head.
“No,” she says, her voice stronger than it was before. She straightens her back, sitting up and settling herself sideways on the cushion to face me. “No, that’s not what I want.”
“What do you want?”
I refuse to let the tiny flame of hope gain purchase until she tells me what the actual fuck is going on in that gorgeous, confusing head of hers.
“I want you,” she breathes, and I swear my heart stops.
I blink at her, letting the words sink into my skin.
“But?” I say.
Lor gulps, swallowing hard but not looking away this time.
“But… it can’t be anything,” she says with a small shake of her head.
I tilt my chin as my brows furrow in confusion, prompting her to explain. Lor waves a hand between us.
“This.Us,” she says. “We can’t be anything to each other. If we do this, it’s just a hookup. Nothing more.”
I hate it, but if that’s what she needs to hear, I’ll let it slide—for now.
“Ah,” I say, then force my signature cocky grin into place. “So, what I’m hearing is… We should do it just this once to get it out of our systems?”
