I didn’t hesitate. I bent down and kissed the proud little nub, then flicked it with my tongue.
Luka’s eyes rolled back, and he cupped the back of my head, keeping me there. “Neprestávaj.”
I knew that one already.
“We keep this up, and by the time the Games are over, I’ll be fluent in Velkaran,” I murmured against his chest, before taking his nipple between my teeth and tugging gently on it.
Luka lurched backward, taking me with him, and a second later we landed on the bed. He stilled for the briefest moment, as though the reality of where we’d just landed had caught up with him, but then I kissed him, slow at first, my hand sliding from his neck down over his chest.
I couldn’t stop touching him, reveling in the feel of smooth, warm skin, the ridges of muscle beneath my fingertips, the curve of his pecs.
I was touching Luka, and it feltright.
He couldn’t lie still.
“Wait.” I drew back enough to look at him.
His brow tightened at once. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No,” I said, already reaching for him again, my hand settling at his neck, feeling the rapid pulse beneath my fingers. “No, not even close. For a first time, you’re…” I huffed a quiet breath. “You’re doing more than fine. I think we both are.”
That earned me a flicker of a smile, quick and uncertain.
“But I think I could be doing better,” I murmured.
He frowned. “How?”
“In a way you can help with.” I kept my tone light, even as my hand drifted lower again. “I’m starting to realize there are some gaps in my education. Specifically… Velkaran.”
His eyes narrowed. “That is not a language you need.”
“Oh, I disagree.” I leaned in, brushing my mouth against his. “I think it could be very useful. So maybe you should teach me.”
“What words?” I caught the note of suspicion.
I kissed him again, slower this time, letting it linger before I pulled back enough to meet his eyes.
“Let’s start simple,” I said quietly. “Lips.”
Color rose instantly, staining his cheeks. “Oh. Yes.”
“Yeah,” I murmured. “Feels like one I should probably know.”
He gave me the word under his breath.
I stared at him. “That wasn’t a real word. That sounded more like a sneeze.”
Luka’s eyes widened for a second, and then he said it again. I repeated it back to him.
Badly.
Laughter tumbled from him. “That isnotcorrect.”
“Hey,” I said in mock indignation. “I’m learning, remember?”
“You arenotlearning. You are improvising.”
I rolled my eyes. “Same thing.”
