Page 32 of Willow and the Wraith

“I… I can’t do this,” he managed, his voice thick.

The words tasted bitter on his lips, and the expression on her face was even worse. She swallowed and nodded.

“All right.”

She started to slide out of bed, but he held out his hand to stop her.

“Stay here,” he managed, trying to keep his voice level. “You should sleep in a real bed.”

“But -”

“I have things to do. I’ll be in the cockpit.”

He left her sitting in bed, staring after him, but he couldn’t let himself pause, couldn’t let himself consider the hurt in her eyes. Couldn’t wonder if he might be walking away from the only thing that mattered.

CHAPTER TEN

Willow bit her lip as the door slid shut behind Wraith, tears threatening to escape. She couldn’t deny that she was hurt by his rapid departure, but neither was she entirely surprised. She’d felt the emotional impact of their connection and she suspected it was even harder for him.

The warmth of his kiss still lingered on her lips, a stark contrast to the cold emptiness that now filled the room. Part of her longed to follow him, to reassure him - and perhaps herself as well - but she knew she had to give him time. He was like a wounded animal, lashing out when cornered by his own emotions. This level of intimacy, of vulnerability, was clearly foreign territory for him.

And for me.

Seeing them in Wraith had made her realize that she had her own barriers as well. She had a number of friends, but no one she was really close to. No wonder her few relationships had never lasted. Her parents’ behavior had scarred her even more deeply than she’d realized.

She rolled onto her back, staring at the metallic ceiling above. The bed felt too large now, too empty without his big body next to hers. She replayed their conversation in her mind, remembering the pain in his eyes as he’d battled with his nightmares. He’d opened up to her, if only for a moment.

“Oh, Wraith,” she whispered to the empty room, her voice barely audible. “What happened to you?”

She hated to think of him alone, struggling with those flashes of memory, but as much as she wanted to go to him, she was afraid that pushing him now might only drive him further away. He needed time and space, and she had to give it to him.

Instead, she hugged his pillow close, breathing in his spicy scent as she remembered the intensity of his kiss, the gentleness of his hands. Despite his abrupt departure, she couldn’t bring herself to regret what had happened between them. Her body still hummed with the lingering pleasure of their joining, her nipples tightening as she remembered him rising over her, the soft light catching little sparks of color in his skin.

His hair had come loose, the long, dark purple strands softening his face and caressing her skin when he bent to kiss her. His need had been obvious in every touch, every caress, and it wasn’t just physical desire she’d felt from him, but a deep-seated emotional hunger that resonated with her own longing for connection.

But the physical desire had been there for her as well, his mouth and hands creating a level of arousal, of excitement, she’d never felt before. Even when he’d stripped off his clothes and she’d seen his massive cock for the first time - his definitely not-human cock - she’d found the sight thrilling rather than intimidating.

And when he’d entered her, the frilled edges of his cock stroking places inside her she hadn’t even known existed, she’d come so hard she’d seen stars. He’d kept moving, urgent, demanding, and she’d climaxed again as hot liquid flooded her, the unfamiliar sensation both erotic and oddly satisfying.

A wave of exhaustion washed over her, and she smiled as she let it carry her off to sleep.

She woke to find Sooni staring at her, her arms crossed and her expression accusatory.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks as she quickly pulled the covers up to her neck.

“I’m sorry if you were worried but-”

“Wraith said you’d be sleeping here from now on,” Sooni interrupted, giving her a suspicious look.

Her heart skipped a beat. He still wanted her to stay in his cabin? Of course that didn’t mean he would join her again, but it still gave her hope.

“I… Yes, I suppose I am,” she managed, trying to keep her voice steady. “Did you need something, sweetie?”

“It’s breakfast time. You always make breakfast.”

“I guess I overslept.” She sat up carefully, keeping the covers clasped against her. “I’ll be there in just a minute to make breakfast, okay? Why don’t you go see if your grandfather is awake?”

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