part0010

She melted against him, their kiss was deliciously languorous, just moments after they’d reached their peak.

He searched her face when the kiss broke, and she smiled and bit her lip.

“Find what you’re looking for?”

She regretted the words as soon as they left her lips. They’d come out far sharper than she’d intended. She supposed she shouldn’t have been surprised, her guard had been totally down in that moment. She’d been enjoying the buzz and tingles of post bliss.

He cleared his throat, “Sorry, I haven’t changed my mind. You’re amazing, I’m beyond thrilled you consented and want to be both in my bed and my mate. It’s just a lot changed all at the same time.”

She nodded, “We went from resisting our inclinations, to moving in together the night I got my memories back. Both of those things will change how we relate, in a large way. I get that, but I’m still me. A woman, falling in love with a man she hopes to spend a lifetime with, not a cold legend.”

He asked, “Falling in love?”

She kissed him softly, and asked, “Did you think it a game? An amusement of some kind? I suppose my appetites and talents in bed do match the legend there, but that is the only part that does. I will always be faithful until our mating is at an end, be it tonight, at the end of your natural life, or somewhere in between. I am not fickle or a man-eater, and others will not see that sultry seductive side of me, only you.”

He frowned and said, “That’s not what I meant. I know that, and you wouldn’t be in my bed if I thought otherwise.”

He grinned and added, “No matter how incredible you are.”

She felt a flush of pleasure at the praise of her prowess in bed, but ignored it. Just then wasn’t the time. She was talented, she should be after all the experience since the beginning of things, and she wasn’t at all shy about showing it. In truth, she greatly enjoyed engendering pleasure in her partner, and seeing a look of awe on their face when… this so wasn’t the time for that.

She tilted her head and pushed down on his chest to raise herself up. The conversation was a little awkward actually, they were still… connected. It wasn’t the best time or place, right after they’d brought each other pleasure, but it was her fault for letting that slip out in an unguarded moment. It wasn’t all her fault, it was his searching gaze that started it, she’d been annoyed at the timing of that gaze. Regardless, the conversation they needed to have was happening now, whether she liked the timing or not.

“Then what did you mean? I wouldn’t be in your or anyone else’s bed were it not for the potential of a long loving and balanced relationship. I’ve been wrong more than once in my life, but less often than not.”

It was true enough, she had skills to judge that thing, as a shifter, witch, and soul eater. All together, those disparate but complementary skills made her record of choosing good mates that went the distance quite good.

Jacob took a moment to gather his thoughts, he obviously didn’t want to say the wrong thing again.

“I’m falling for you too, Lily. I guess with all the changes I wasn’t taking anything for granted, and although it shouldn’t have surprised me to hear you say it, it did. It also made me happy. Surprise or not, I knew you weren’t just playing games, that never even occurred to me as a possibility.”

She frowned, “But you’re not sure I’m the person you were falling for, not anymore.”

Jacob opened his mouth to deny it, but no words came out, at least not words of stark denial.

“It’s complicated. A part of me loves you already, it will take time to see if things turn out as good as we both believe and hope they will.”

She nodded, “I get that, but I worry your doubts about me being me will color that even further. Not that we can really do anything about it, but relationships are already enough work.”

Jacob frowned, “What are you saying exactly?”

“The only fix is time, we can’t reason our way through it, it’s too emotional. Hell, you have me doubting my doubts, which is ridiculous. It just… bothers me when you look at me like that, like you’re not quite sure who it is that’s in your bed and in your heart. I also know you can’t help it, so I’ll have to deal.”

He caressed her face softly, and his other hand squeezed her waist. His gaze was intense, and she felt vulnerable under it, cared for and cherished, especially being able to feel his warm emotions. He was obviously doing it on purpose, showing her exactly how he felt.

She also knew the sex and attendant feelings from that was making it even more complicated, but she didn’t think she was willing to give that up now that she had it. Even if that might make it easier to figure out the rest. She liked being in his bed, and in his arms, way too much. She’d also never in all her life had been in a situation like this before, so she hoped she was doing the right thing.

She raised up and slid off to the side, and then pressed up against him. She smiled widely as he pulled her tighter against him, and then started to caress her back and play with her hair.

He said softly, “I’ll try not to do that anymore, it’s not fair to you, or me. The most ironic thing about it is my feelings for you haven’t changed one iota. It will just take time to adjust to our new relationship status, like you said.”

She grinned, “Are you recovered yet?” as her hand slid down lower on his body.

He chuckled, that manly low chuckle that she loved and went straight to her libido.

“Almost, I suppose I can keep myself busy until I am.”

She wondered what he meant for a moment, until he rolled on top, started to kiss her, and then started kissing down her body.