"No, you don’t. I will keep you warm.”
The promise in his eyes made it hard to think straight.
“I mean I need you to wear clothes.”
“Then you wouldn’t be able to watch me like you do now.”
I tore my gaze from his chest, where it had drifted, and rolled my eyes at him.
“Clothes won’t stop me from watching you, Vedar. But they will help shield us from unwanted attention. Please?”
“They will shield me from wanted attention.”
“You’re driving me insane. What do I need to do to get you into pants, shoes, and a shirt?”
He tugged me into his arms as his gaze flashed bright gold.
“Touch me.”
I swallowed hard, my imagination running wild with all the ways I wanted to touch him.
“We can’t afford distractions right now, Vedar,” I managed after a moment. “And I think having me touch you would be very distracting.”
He didn’t loosen his hold, and I sighed.
Resting my head against his chest, I wrapped my arms around his waist and trailed my fingers over his back. He twitched under my touch and clicked so hard it sounded like an aggressive purr. The vibrations trembled through me, feeding my own growing need for him.
I rubbed my cheek against his chest even as I tried to resist.
“I’m touching you.”
“I know.”
“Can you please put on some clothes now?”
His fingers threaded through my hair and gently nudged my head until I was looking up at him. His gaze searched mine then dipped to my lips. My heart skipped a beat, and my face flushed. The intensity with which I wanted Vedar to kiss me robbed me of air.
Slowly he bent his head. He trailed his nose along mine, stealing my breath.
“Dear one,” he said softly. “My treasure.”
His lips brushed over mine in the briefest measure of contact, and the sound that escaped me was a desperate whimper. I wanted to stand on my toes and press my mouth to his until we were nothing but a clash of tongue and teeth. Which would hopefully progress to a lot more touching.
Trembling, I clung to him and shook my head.
“This isn’t me. What are you doing to me?”
He huffed out a disappointed breath and gave me some space. An inch. Maybe two.
“I am merely showing you how much I hold you dear.”
“How about you dial back the showing so we can get on with the saving?” Even as I said it, I continued to clutch at his shoulders. I shook my head harder, trying to dislodge the unrelenting need I felt.
“We have to hurry, remember?” I ruined the importance of the reminder by brushing my lips against his pectoral.
With his clicking roaring like an engine, he cupped the back of my head and nudged my lips back to his skin.
“Please help me, Vedar. You promised.” I exhaled heavily then gave into the urge to lick him. At the first touch of my tongue, he started to shake and let out a pained groan.