Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 106646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
But…I know what will.
I slide a finger down his arm in a light, flirty tease. "You said you were going to go outside and tug on things for a bit?"
He grunts. "As soon as I can move without spilling."
I trace one of his nipples with my fingertip. "Want me to do the tugging for you?"
A'tam looks up, utterly astonished. "You…what?"
"I can touch you," I tell him in a soft voice. I run a fingertip over the full curve of his lower lip. It's unfair that a man should have such a pretty, pouty mouth, it really is. And those lashes. Fucking unfair as hell. "I can make you come. Use my hands, just like you used yours on me. If you want that, of course. If not, I understand."
A'tam stares down at me. "You would do that…for me?"
"Well, I'm sure as shit not going to do it for anyone else," I tell him, amused. "O'jek can tug on his own fucking cock. And I'rec can jump into the ocean for all I care."
"They do not get to touch you, ever," he growls, rolling me onto my back. There's a wild, possessive look on his face as he looms over me, searching my expression. "You…truly wish to do this for me? You do not feel anxious?"
Anxious about this? Not in the slightest. Nothing is going to be hammered into a too-small space. "I'd love to touch you," I tell him softly. "You gave me pleasure. Why can't I do the same for you?"
He looks torn. "Because you did not like my cock."
I bite my lip, feeling guilty. "I can't apologize for how I felt, A'tam. I still feel like that. It wasn't enjoyable for me at all." I caress his face, stroking his beard. "But I know now you didn't mean to hurt me or make me feel bad. We just weren't listening to each other. We've resonated, and no matter how I feel about that moment, resonance wants more from us. Even without resonance, I can't turn off how I feel about you. So…if you come with an oversized cock, I need to figure out how to deal with it and make things enjoyable for both of us." I smile up at him. "It can't all just be about me."
A'tam presses against my hand, nipping at my thumb. "It can be for a while. I do not mind waiting until you are ready." He leans down and kisses the tip of my nose. "I have to get this right, my fierce little kaari, because I do not want to lose you again."
It's his sweetness that clinches it for me. He made me feel so good—twice now—all without taking anything for himself. I believe him when he says he wants things to be perfect for me and he doesn't want to take anything for himself. It makes me want to touch him all the more. I slide my hand to the back of his neck and pull him in for a kiss.
He makes a hungry sound, his mouth hot and urgent on mine. For a moment, I'm lost in the kiss, dazed with need. It builds inside me again, my khui starting its incessant hum once more. If we keep kissing like this, I'm going to forget all about pleasuring him and just take my own again, like a selfish, greedy thing.
Greedy I might be, but I also want A'tam to come. I want him to get the release he deserves after making it so good for me. So I pull back, panting, and nudge at his chest. "Go on your back for me," I whisper.
A'tam growls low, nipping one last time at my mouth, and then flops onto his back, the motion slightly petulant, as if he's angry that he's being deprived of my mouth.
It really is adorable, and it makes me love him all the more.
My breath catches as I realize it—I love A'tam. I love him even when he's arrogant, I love him when he's childish, I love him when he's sweet and giving and wonderful. I love him when he smiles at me, when he talks up a storm, and I love the quiet moments in my pottery cave, when he says nothing but is simply there to keep me company. Being with him is the best part of this crazy new adventure on an ice world…and I want to share every moment with him. "I love you," I tell him.
The look he gives me is a mixture between puzzlement and impatience. "Of course?"
I swallow my giggle, because naturally that's his answer. They don't value words like we do. The islanders—like the sa-khui—prefer to show their affection. Love and monogamy is assumed the moment someone resonates, which makes sense, really. I know I haven't been able to think about anything or anyone but A'tam since my khui started purring. Of course he's unfazed by a declaration of love. He assumed I was already in love with him, no doubt.