Clearing my throat, splaying my hands on my thighs, I say, “Take off your clothes.”
Bran doesn’t move an inch and I grumble with frustration.
“Try again.”
I shake out my hands like I’m getting ready to throw a pitch at a softball game. The chain complains more loudly.
Expanding my chest, filling up my lungs with oxygen, I say, “Bran, take off your clothes.”
Still nothing.
“Goddammit.” I fall back on my butt. “This isn’t working.”
“You’re barely trying.”
“I just want to fuck you,” I say with a pout.
“Then try harder.”
With a grumble, I close my eyes and try to put myself back at my Pledge. I was afraid then. Terrified of losing Bran and my sister. The fear made the blood pump fast through my veins.
I can’t replicate that same feeling, but maybe if I latch onto that memory, if I let all of the muscles and tendons in my body tense up, maybe I can get close.
I imagine the smell of the Pledge Hall. The floor polish on the pine floors. The fresh water of the river nearby. The smell of all those shifters and vampires and witches. A mix of spice and musk and sweetness.
In my mind, I see Kelly go down again and Bran under attack, and my heart skips.
I take in another long breath as heat races up my arms, then down my torso and into my core.
“Bran,” I say and open my eyes, “take off your clothes.”
I know I’ve found it by the uptick in his face, the fine lines around his eyes creasing with frustration as he loses control of his own body.
He stands up, kicks off his boots.
My heart races a little faster.
He never takes his eyes off of me as his belt comes out of the loops with a snap of leather. He tosses it next to my panties, and the metal clasp clanks loudly.
His pants are off in a second and then he yanks off his shirt, exposing all of those hard packed ab muscles.
The breath in my lungs rushes out in a moan of delight.
Just two seconds after that, his black boxer briefs are gone and his thick cock stands erect in the open air.
I lick my lips. I can’t help it.
This is too much power for one person to have, but goddamn, am I enjoying it.
“Now what, Mouse?” he says on a husky rasp.
“Stroke yourself.”
He tilts his head. “Try again.”
“Take yourself in your hand.”
“Again.”