Page 37 of Savage Warrior

He leans to one side and slips his hand between us to find my clit. He takes the plump bundle of needy nerves between his thumb and index finger and squeezes. It’s enough. Too much. My body erupts. I’m flying, weightless, whirling.

Moments later, he gives a hoarse, guttural shout. He stiffens, holds still for a few seconds, or is it hours? Then it’s as though his arms give way. He drops forward to the mattress before rolling onto his side and taking me with him. I cling on, my fingers digging into his shoulders until the earth stops moving and I can think straight once more.

He recovers before I do and smooths my tangled hair away from my face.

“Are you okay?” He seems genuinely worried. “That all got a bit intense.”

I manage a nod. “I think so.”

“Think?”

“Yes. I think. I won’t know for sure until we do it again…”

“Ah…”

I sit up, drawing the blanket up to cover my breasts. “What does that mean? Ah?”

Was I mistaken? Was what we just did not the exquisitely perfect sexual interlude I thought it was? Did I fall short somehow…?

“It means, I used my one and only condom just now. I didn’t come up here expecting to find you, let alone…”

“Oh. I see. Ah.” I stifle my disappointment. “Does this mean we can’t do it again?”

“Depends on your attitude to risk. I know I’m clean.”

“Clean? Oh, you mean HIV?”

He inclines his chin.

“I’m clean, too.” I must be, there hasn’t been anyone else.

“Well, that just leaves—”

“Can’t we be… careful?”

He grins at me. “Now, that is a casual attitude to risk.” He rolls over, taking me with him, and pins me to the mattress, his weight on his elbows. “You just pointed out what a bad man I am, and you’re right. But know this. I take my responsibilities seriously. I will take care of you and… and anyone else. But if you prefer to play it safe, I don’t blame you.”

I give that a few moments’ consideration. “I am playing it safe by trusting you.”

He kisses me on the mouth. “I won’t let you down.”

“What day is it?”

I shove myself into a sitting position and look down at ?tefan, stretched out alongside me in the bed. He yawns and opens his eyes.

“About seven, probably.”

I give him a nudge. “What day, not time?”

His brow furrows. “Thursday, I think.”

“It’s been almost two weeks,” I reply. “Yes, two weeks. It was a Saturday when I was taken.”

“Oh. Right.”

“How much longer before we can leave here?”

“We can leave any time, but we won’t get far until the snow thaws.”

---