Page 17 of Rings and Wings and Stardust Things

He made a deep, rumbling purr that vibrated through his chest and into mine. His hands found the hem of my shirt, slipping underneath to caress the bare skin of my waist.

I arched into his touch, my head falling back. This was madness.

But as Ryon's beak nibbled gently at my collarbone, all thoughts of professionalism evaporated. There was only him, me, and the fire burning between us.

Cupping his face in my hands, I brought his beak to my lips. An awkward angle, but I didn't care. I needed to taste him, to feel him against me.

He responded with fervor, his tongue sweeping into my mouth. Unfamiliar, yet I could definitely get used to the strange sensation and unique texture as I tangled my tongue with his.

Breaking apart, we both breathed heavily. Ryon's eyes were molten gold, filled with a hunger that sent a thrill through me.

“Savannah,” he murmured, his voice rough with desire. “I want you. I know I shouldn't, but I can't resist.”

The heat of Ryon's breath against my skin was intoxicating, each exhalation stoking the fire within me. I felt the heat coiling in my belly, a desperate ache for more of his touch. “Ryon,” I whispered, barely audible, “touch me more.”

His eyes darkened with desire, and without a word, he reached for the hem of my tunic. Slowly, deliberately he pushed it up, revealing the soft skin beneath. His fingers brushed against the underside of my breast, causing me to gasp. The roughness of his fingerpads was unlike anything I'd felt.

Deftly, he unclasped my bra with an ease that hinted at familiarity with human customs. The cups fell away, exposing me to the cool air, my nipples hardening.

Ryon's gaze dropped to my breasts, and a visible shudder ran through him, his feathers quivering. He seemed to be holding his breath, chest still. Then, with a touch that made my heart clench, he reached out and cupped my breast in his hand.

I couldn't suppress the moan that escaped as he gently squeezed, his thumb brushing over my sensitive peak. A strange mix of the familiar and the alien, the roughness of his touch contrasted by the softness of his feathers.

But it was when he lowered his head, beak parting to reveal the pink, textured surface of his tongue, that I truly felt the magnitude of our differences. The first swipe of his tongue against my nipple was electric, the strange, scaly texture sending jolts of pleasure coursing through my body. Foreign, yet utterly divine.

I tangled my fingers in his feathers, holding him to me as he licked and swirled, each stroke driving me closer to the edge.

Ryon's tongue swirled around my nipple, and I teetered on the edge of bliss when a sudden crack of lightning split the sky. The flash illuminated the garden, casting sharp shadows, and an instant later, rain poured down in sheets. We jerked apart, startled by the abrupt change.

“Rain,” Ryon muttered, looking up at the darkening sky. His feathers ruffled as he helped me sit up. “We need to get out of this.”

I nodded, scrambling to gather my discarded clothes. My heart still raced from our heated moment, but the cold rain quickly grounded me in reality. Pulling my shirt over my head, I shivered as the fabric clung to my damp skin.

Ryon moved with swift efficiency, gathering our picnic supplies and tucking them into a waterproof bag. His wings flexed and folded against his back, water dripping from the tips. Despite the urgency, his movements remained graceful.

“We can take shelter in a nearby cave,” he raised his voice over the din. “Follow me.”

He grabbed my hand, and I marveled at how his touch still sent tingles through me despite the chill. We dashed through the woods, slipping on wet grass and dodging low branches that threatened to snag our clothes.

The storm intensified, lightning flashing more frequently as thunder rumbled like a distant drumbeat. My hair plastered to my forehead, water streaming down my face, making it hard to see where we were going. But Ryon's grip remained firm and reassuring.

We finally reached the mouth of a cave nestled among rocky outcroppings. The entrance was partially obscured by overhanging vines, providing some shelter. Ryon pushed them aside and guided me inside.

Surprisingly spacious, the cave had smooth stone walls that glistened faintly in the dim light. Water dripped from stalactites, creating a steady plinking echo. Ryon set down our supplies and shook himself to dry his feathers, sending droplets flying.

“Sorry,” he said with a sheepish click of his beak. “Didn't expect such a sudden storm.”

I laughed breathlessly, wiping rainwater from my eyes. “Well, you did promise an adventure.”

He chuckled, his eyes warm despite our soggy state. “True enough.” Handing me a blanket from his bag - a thoughtful touch that made me smile.

I took the blanket gratefully and dried off as best I could. Ryon watched me with those intense golden eyes, making it hard to focus on anything else.

“Thank you,” I said softly after a moment, feeling unexpected gratitude wash over me - not just for the blanket, but for everything since I'd arrived.

He nodded once, acknowledging my words. An unspoken understanding between us now - a connection forged by shared experiences and something deeper.

As we settled into our refuge from the storm, I kept stealing glances at Ryon when I thought he wasn't looking. The way his feathers glistened in the dim light; how his eyes seemed even more vibrant against his copper plumage; how effortlessly graceful his every movement was despite our circumstances - it all fascinated me more than I'd ever imagined.

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