“Because I don’t want to demand anything from you. As I said, I’m willing to wait for as long as it takes.”
Oh no. He’s not leaving now. After touching each other under the blankets at Liesje’s house, he’s started a fire that won’t go out quickly. I trace a hand down the front of his uniform, and then reach for the auto-fastener at his collar. “Sex and relationships are two different things, Sinath. You know that. We can have fun without it being a commitment. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
He strokes my cheek. “Can we still have fun if it’s a commitment for one of us?”
Wow. “You mean you?”
Sinath nods. “I told you already. I know what I want with you. I want everything. So if you want to wait until it means as much to you as it does to me, then we will wait.”
When he strokes my cheek again, I bite the tip of his thumb. “What if it’s enjoyment and commitment for both of us but only forever for one? Because I like you. I want you. I don’t want to see anyone else but you. But right now, it’s too soon for me to promise forever.”
He grins. “I’m fine with enjoyment.”
I exhale with relief. “Thank goodness.” I fling myself at him, kissing him once more. I love that Sinath is tall, but that he’d be short for a mesakkah. It makes him just the right height for me. I love that he doesn’t take himself seriously. I love that he showed up with a tree and pushed all my doubts away. I love that he’s just as patient and kind with me as everyone else, despite his weird sense of humor.
I could absolutely love this man. I just need a little more time.
So I kiss him hungrily, giving him all my passion and emotion. When he gives a sexy little grunt and his hands go to my backside, I hitch a leg around his hip. Or I try, at least. I end up getting closer to his thigh, but it doesn’t matter. He gets the hint, lifting me into the air and sliding his tail around one of my legs. I lock my ankles behind him, continuing to kiss him, my tongue playing against his. I want this. I want him.
God, do I want him.
I lift my mouth from his after a heated moment, and he immediately tries to capture my mouth again. “Wait,” I manage between kisses. We don’t need to have the birth control conversation thanks to the whole cross-species thing, but I know his people are very hygiene-enthusiastic and raw sex might be too much for someone that’s new to the wonders of kissing. “Plas-film? Yes? No?”
“No. Not at all. I want all of you.” He sucks on my lower lip, and it sends a sliver of heat to lodge directly between my thighs. Oh lord, he’sreallygood at that.
“Okay. Okay.” I chant the words even as I wriggle in his grasp, wanting desperately to touch bare skin. “My bedroom is through the door and I plan on getting you really naked and licking you all over.”
“I want that plan, too.” He captures my mouth again, stumbling towards the bedroom. “From now on, you get to make all the plans.”
“Sounds good,” I pant, tearing at the auto-fastener at his throat. “Not that you don’t look good in this uniform. I just think you’d look better out of it.”
The material at his throat separates, and I bury my face against his neck just as he pushes his way into my bedroom. I made the bed this morning (thank goodness) and when he drops me onto the mattress, I bounce right back up again, reaching for him. “You first. I want you naked before me.”
His eyes flare with mischief and he gestures at his body, standing straight. “Feel free to unwrap me like a present.”
Oh great, now we’re back to the Christmas puns. But two can play this game. I place my hand between his thighs and rub the bulge of his shaft. “My, look at the size of this Yule log.”
“I don’t know what that is,” he pants, his eyes hooded with arousal. “But it sounds keffing sexy.”
It really does.
His uniform hangs open now, the auto-fastener stopping at his belt, and I trace a finger down his skin to his navel. “Why, this is just what I wanted. You’re such a thoughtful gift-giver.”
Sinath’s throat bobs. “Indeed.”
I love that he’s without jokes now. His gaze follows me constantly, locked on me as I push the front of his uniform open and then down his shoulders, making sure that my breasts brush his chest as I do. When he’s naked to his waist, I step back and admire. I love that Sinath’s body is nice and tight all over, and that he’s only got a few tattoos covering his skin. There’s one directly under his heart and I touch the lettering reverently. “What’s this?”
“My grandmother’s name. I didn’t want to forget her. Wearing it made me remember that I had a family once, even if I’m alone now.”
Shit. I wasn’t expecting his answer to make me emotional. I swallow the lump forming in my throat and drag my fingers over his side, moving behind him and touching another tattoo that doesn’t look like writing. This one is close to his spine. “And this one?”
“It’s the name of a station. Three Nebulas. It’s the first outpost I ever served at and I wanted to have it written on me, somewhere. Hated that place. Probably silly to have it written on my back.” His tail flicks back and forth. “Can’t even see it back there.”
“That means it’s behind you,” I say, and press a kiss to his skin.
He shivers, his back muscles rippling in response to my touch, and his tail swishes wildly. “Guess it is.”
I let my hands dance over his skin, watching his reactions. Touching him is ridiculously pleasurable, because even the slightest caress rewards me with a twitch of his tail, or him shifting on his feet, as if he can’t contain himself. It makes me want to tease Sinath for hours.