ten
I stared at her, not moving a muscle. She bit her bottom lip between her teeth, the pillowy flesh turning bright red in protest. I wanted to soothe it with my tongue. Another shudder rolled through my body.
When she’d touched me, it felt like heaven. I wanted to cover her body with mine, warm her in my arms and shield her from anything that thought to hurt her again. Then she pulled back and my world crashed at my feet. I wanted to say I’d wait for her forever. I would stay right where I was until I turned to ash, but I was too afraid to speak. I didn’t want to spook her.
“Um…” She glanced at the floor, at Kendal, at me, and then at the cats rubbing themselves against me. She giggled and waved her hand. “They seem to like you.”
“They’re soft.” I winced as one of them climbed my back, its tiny claws spearing through my fur. It sat on my shoulder. “I like them.”
“Me too.”
What was this swirl of heat in my gut? Why did my skin prickle when she spoke to me with her voice low and her eyes kind?
“Can you…” She cleared her throat and looked away. “Would you stay tonight?” Her cheeks turned bright red. “I feel safer with you here.”
My body lurched forward before I caught myself. Wrapping her tight in my arms wasn’t what she asked for. I looked at Kendal, whose grin split her face as she nodded encouragement.
“Yes, I’ll stay.”
Jade stared at me and the rest of the world fell away. I dimly heard Kendal saying she was headed home, but my focus never wavered. When the door shut, I looked away. “I’ll just… lay down here, if that’s okay?”
The red tint crept into her upper chest. “Would you stay with me? In my room, I mean. You can sleep on the couch if you’d be more comfortable. I have great blankets and soft pillows. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. “I just… I’d like it if you’d hold me.”
I was struck dumb. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move. She wanted me to hold her?
She snorted. “No, of course you don’t want to do that. I’m sorry.”
She squeaked as I swept her up in my arms and cradled her. “There is nothing I want more.”
Her sugar scent turned spicy, a sweet heat that made my cock press at my seam. My pelvis locked. I refused to let it out. She hadn’t run yet, but she would, if she saw how much I wanted her. I was already walking when she pointed down the hall. I knew where her bedroom was from the nights I stood outside her window, lising to her sleep.
Gods, I was such a creep.
I laid her down on the soft comforter and she popped right back up. I fisted my hands in dismay. “I’m sorry.”
She looked over her shoulder at me, her brows drawn down. “Why?”
I waved at the bed. “You didn’t want to be there.”
She laughed, and my heart took flight.
“I just wanted to pull the covers back.”
“Oh. Right. I’m not used to this yet.”
“What? Being with me?”
I tilted my muzzle to the floor. “Sleeping in a bed.”
I heard her sharp intake of breath, and I braced for a slew of questions.
They never came.
I looked up as she slid back under the covers and patted the sheets next to her. I circled around and sat carefully on the edge. Her bed was smaller than mine, and I worried it wouldn’t hold me. When nothing creaked or snapped, I lowered myself next to her.
She giggled as the bed sank, sending her rolling into me. I buried my nose in her hair and pulled her tight to my body. She let out a happy sigh and put her hand on my chest.
“You’re so warm.”
My growl sounded more like a purr.
“Thank you. For staying.”
There was nowhere else I’d rather be.