Chapter 14
Chapter
Fourteen
Ashiver ran down Jasper’s spine at Kraghol’s words.
“I care for you,” Kraghol said in his deep growly voice. His chest rose and fell with each deep breath he took. “More than I should.”
His grey gaze pierced into Jasper. Jasper wanted to fall into those eyes.
Jasper had planned to try to unravel the mystery of their connection first.
But with Kraghol gazing down at him like that, standing so close, all Jasper wanted to do was reach out and touch his furry chest. He wanted Kraghol in a way he’d never wanted anyone before.
All he wanted was to stroke those broad shoulders. He wanted Kraghol to lift him in those powerful arms, hurl him onto the bed, and have his way with him. He wanted Kraghol to protect him. He wanted to lose himself in the taste and smell and touch of the krampus and never find himself afterwards.
And from the way Kraghol stared down at him, hunger glinting in his eyes, Jasper thought he might want that too.
Jasper would try to solve the puzzle of what was going on later. He had other, more pressing priorities right now.
Jasper tilted his head back. “What do you mean, you care for me more than you should?”
The krampus’s gaze traced down the lines of Jasper’s exposed throat. “You are a human. I am a krampus,” Kraghol said, as if that explained everything. “We are different.”
“Are we?” Jasper’s lips twitched into a smile. “I hadn’t noticed.” He took another step closer, until their bodies almost pressed together.
Kraghol’s nostrils flared.
“I mean, you are much taller than me. You have a tail. Fur. Horns.” Jasper reached up and touched one of them. He ran his hand around the curled horn. It felt smooth.
Kraghol leaned towards Jasper, like he couldn’t help himself. He practically vibrated, as if holding himself back.
But Jasper didn’t want Kraghol to hold himself back. He dropped his hand and trailed it lightly over Kraghol’s shoulder, stroking the firm muscle covered in fur.
Kraghol gaped, watching the movement. “You want me?” he asked, the shock so obvious in his tone.
“Is that so surprising?”
Kraghol inclined his head. “Yes.”
“Because we’re different?”
Kraghol nodded again.
“I mean, I find all our differences intriguing. Don’t you?” He slid his hand down Kraghol’s chest. He gave an exaggerated pout. “Or do you find me repulsive because I am so different from you, Kraghol?”
“No! Of course not!” Kraghol said with far more vehemence than Jasper expected. Especially since Jasper had just been teasing.
Kraghol placed his hands on Jasper’s shoulders. “You are beautiful beyond all words, Jasper. How could anyone resist you?”
The words melted something inside Jasper. “Then don’t resist me.”
He leaned up, desperate to press his lips against Kraghol’s. But the krampus was too tall. So Jasper slid his hand around the back of Kraghol’s neck, tugged him down, and kissed him.
Kraghol made a startled noise. Jasper held still, giving Kraghol time to pull away or reciprocate. But Kraghol just remained completely still, as if stunned.
Then Kraghol’s whole body shuddered. He wrapped his thick arms around Jasper, and for the first time in months, Jasper felt whole.
This feels right! This is exactly where I should be. In Kraghol’s arms.
Moaning, Jasper slid his hands over Kraghol’s chest as they kissed. He pressed his body against Kraghol’s. Suddenly Kraghol lifted Jasper from the floor as if he weighed nothing.
He carried Jasper to the bed and laid him gently down amongst the furs. He broke the kiss and pulled back. His gaze flicked over Jasper’s face. “How…” He trailed off. “Are you sure?”
Jasper almost laughed. Was he sure? Jasper’s hard cock throbbed. He was definitely fucking sure. But the clear uncertainty in Kraghol’s eyes made him hold back his laughter.
Jasper stroked Kraghol’s cheek. “I’m sure. Are you?”
Kraghol nodded. “I just cannot understand how you could want me.”
Jasper threaded his fingers through the fur on the back of Kraghol’s neck. “Well, I do. So much.” Then he pulled Kraghol down, and they kissed.
Jasper ran his hands over Kraghol’s furry body, wanting to touch and explore every inch of him. Meanwhile, Kraghol’s hands moved lightly over Jasper’s shoulders and arms. But the touch was hesitant, as if he worried Jasper would break.
But Jasper would not break. He rubbed up against Kraghol, wishing he wasn’t wearing clothes. He wanted to be naked with Kraghol. Skin to skin. Or skin to fur. Whatever!
He broke the kiss. “I want to get undressed.”
Kraghol rolled to the side, giving Jasper the space to do so. Kraghol’s eyes traced the movements as Jasper removed his clothes and cast them onto the floor.
Kali, who now lay on the floor by the fire, opened one eye as a boot landed near her. After a second, she returned to sleep. Jasper tugged his trousers off so he remained just in his drawers.
Suddenly a cold burst of wind swept through the cave. Snowflakes whisked past. The flames flickered, and Jasper shivered. Kraghol grabbed some furs and pulled them over them.
“There. Now you are safe from the cold,” Kraghol said.
They faced each other beneath the soft furs.
Jasper cupped his throat. “Touch me. I want to feel your hands on my bare skin.”
Kraghol reached out. But his gaze seemed to snag on his own furry hands. He hesitated as if he couldn’t comprehend that Jasper would want those hands on him.
But Jasper was not above begging. “Please. Please, Kraghol. I need your touch.”
Tentatively, the krampus slid a hand down Jasper’s chest. Jasper whimpered at the feather-light caress. Emboldened, Kraghol ran his hands over Jasper’s torso, constantly glancing at Jasper’s face, as if needing the reassurance that Jasper actually wanted this.
Jasper’s hands settled on Kraghol’s hip as he gave the krampus time and space to explore. He moaned as Kraghol stroked his skin, hands wandering over the planes of his stomach, flank, and chest.
He saw the nervousness shift to awe in Kraghol’s eyes. His touch grew firmer, bolder, and more confident.
Jasper panted. He squirmed. His cock ached, tenting his drawers.
Jasper tugged at the cloth that wrapped around Kraghol’s waist. “Can I take this off? I want to see all of you.”