Page 30 of Brightness

“I scare you?”

“I scare me,” he clarifies.

I slide in to rest my head in the nook of his shoulder and chest. He’s tense, but as my fingers slide up his shirt to rest over his heart, he relaxes. “You don’t scare me. Not even a little bit.”

His hand slides up to rest on top of mine, our fingers threading together. I take the hint and loop my leg over his, cuddling into his side completely. Closing my eyes, I release a contented sigh as his other hand moves in to caress the back of my head, the move gentle and soothing.

I adore us like this.

Calm.

Content.

Completely blissful.

Void’s opening up to me like never before.

I tell him about what happened while I was at Tony’s, and he chuckles when I tell him about Dash getting his Elsa makeover. He holds me when I discuss how helpless I feel that I can’t do more to help Mia. Void and I are always able to connect when it’s just us in a room alone together, but this, right here, this is something else.

We’re treading on new ground.

Taking a step in a different direction.

Maybe spending the night apart is exactly what we needed.

To show us both the thing we need is each other.

Maybe the bad luck ball isn’t going to drop after all. Maybe this is the dream, the dream where good things do happen for me—the dream where finally something is going right.

If this is my good dream, then please don’t let any fucker wake me up.

***

We may not have been asleep for long—just a nap—but that hour or so was the deepest, most peaceful sleep I’ve ever had.

I have never felt more relaxed than I do right now. Falling asleep in Void’s arms isn’t something I’ve done before, but damn, do I want to keep doing it. After having my blood taken last night, I thought I would be completely drained today. I wouldn’t say I am one hundred percent, but this little power nap has certainly recharged my batteries.

My eyelids flutter open, and I slowly take in the sights of the Cell—my home. I’m lying in bed, my leg over Void’s, snuggling into him while he continues to sleep. He’s so fucking gorgeous, completely vulnerable and exposed. I glimpse down at his soft, supple lips—they’re so pink and delectable right now. Arousal surges as I lick my lips, wanting to taste him. I’ve never felt the need to act on my sexual urges or instincts, but with Void lying here like this, I want to take advantage of him. I want to know what it’s like to kiss him, to have his hands roam all over my body, to have him deep inside of me.

My eyes shift to his crotch, and I swallow hard when I notice his jeans tenting with an erection.

I gasp. I was not expecting to see that. My breath hitches as I gnaw down on my bottom lip.

Should I do something about it?

Would he want me to touch him?

I’ve never even held a cock.

How would I know where to start?

But there’s something about this situation that’s calling to me. I want to make him feel good. I want him to make me feel good.

With my pulse racing like a jackhammer inside my veins, my hand sitting above his heart slowly starts to edge down his stomach. My body throbs with need as I squirm uncomfortably, edging further toward the zipper of his jeans.

Void wriggles a little as if he’s waking up, but I don’t stop. My breath quickens as I grip the zipper of his jeans, gently slide it down, then edge my hand inside. The tiny hairs leading to his cock tickle the tips of my fingers. Adrenaline surges through me as I reach the top of his boxer briefs and wriggle my hand under.

Suddenly, Void’s hand slams against my wrist, halting any further movement. I jolt with shock as I turn to look at him. Startled, his eyes are wide and his breaths rapid, nostrils flaring.

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