Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 135784 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135784 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
He touches the arm I have lying across him. "Is this…going to bother you? Are you uncomfortable?"
Maybe it would have before, but my crush on Jerrok is working overtime. His scent is in my nose, and because I'm the big spoon, I'm also at the edge of the bed, my butt hanging off the side, just a little. I have an exit, though. I'm not pressed and trapped between multiple bodies, so no, it doesn't bother me. I rub my nose against his back and there are hard metal bits just under his skin, along his shoulder blade. They poke and press against me, but I like them, too.
They remind me, even with my eyes closed, that this is Jerrok, and he's safe.
"I'm not uncomfortable," I reassure him. "Go to sleep."
He laces his fingers with mine over his stomach, and I think for a moment that he'll protest again. He doesn't, though; he goes quiet and a short time later, his breathing evens out once more. Sleipnir hops up on the foot of the bed, as graceful as a house cat, and settles in against Jerrok's legs. That wakes him, but only slightly, and I can feel when he drifts back to sleep again.
I smile as I close my eyes.
37
JERROK
I wake up with warm breath against my hair and horns, and Sophie's teats pressed against my face. She's curled around me—clinging to me, actually—and I vaguely remember her coming to sleep with me last night. I must have been having bad dreams again, though I don't remember them. I just remember her sliding into bed next to me.
It makes me ache with want. She's special, this female. She's got such a kind, giving heart, and it's wrapped up in a beautiful, delicate package. I'm envious of the male—or female—that will finally get to call her their own. I close my eyes, wanting to stay in this moment for as long as possible. I won't move until Sophie wakes up, I think. I don't want to move, ever, actually. Just drink in Sophie's scent and let it fill my mind for a bit. I don't even care that the heavy carinoux is draped over my leg and cutting off my circulation. It's not like I can lose a toe, anyhow.
Sophie shifts, letting out a little sigh, and her breasts brush against my skin. Her nipple scrapes against my cheek and instantly, my cock fills and grows heavy. Kef me. I clench my jaw, determined not to ruin this moment. It's not her fault I'm aroused by her. She doesn't need to know the disgusting things that fill my mind when she's in bed with me. She—
"Jerrok?" she murmurs, her voice achingly sweet and sleepy. Her fingers graze over my prosthetic arm. "Your circuits are jumping."
"Ignore them," I mumble. Just like I'm ignoring the tease of her nipples, so close to my keffing mouth.
Instead, she reaches out and presses her fingers to the synth-skin on my arm, rubbing. "Does this help?"
It does, and it doesn't. My arm does calm down, but parts of me that are…lower…are definitely not calm. Her touch is just making those worse.
"I'm sorry for kissing you," she murmurs, even as her fingertips glide over my arm in the gentlest caress.
That's not what I want to hear from her right now. I don't want to hear anything about her regretting touching me…while she's touching me. My hand is on her hip as she massages my arm, and I move my fingers, ever so slightly, rubbing her. "Why did you do it?"
She hesitates. "I wanted to."
I look up at her. There's a knot in my throat telling me not to reach out, not to dare to hope for too much, but I can't help myself. "I liked it."
Sophie's lips part. She gazes down at me, her expression full of surprise.
I rub her hip, determined not to break eye contact. I want to show her, even if it's just with a touch, that I'm obsessed with her. That if she wants to press her mouth to my face a dozen times, I'd take it like the greedy fool I am.
She stops massaging my arm and shifts in the bed. For a moment, I think I've keffed it all up and she's getting out of bed, but Sophie slides lower, until we're face to face. She watches me with a thoughtful expression on her features, and then leans in and ever so lightly kisses my plated brow.
I groan, stroking her side.
"I'm not…violating hygiene laws?" she asks, breathless, as her hand moves to my face and lightly caresses my cheek.
"Don't care," I manage, unable to stop touching her. I caress the gentle curve of her hip, marveling at how soft she is. I rub her through the tunic, keeping my movements light and inoffensive. I'm not grabbing at anything. I just…want to touch her. That's all.