Page 49 of Starfall

“You heard that a lot, I am guessing.”

“More than I would like. They didn’t expect me to turn scary, and then, all focus was on containment.” She shrugged.

He stroked her cheek. “What if containment is the last thing on my mind?”

“You are going to get perforated.”

He grinned. “Then, let’s start slow, and if anything upsets you or hurts, let me know.”

“You sound like my dentist.”

He laughed and picked her up, carrying her up the stairs to his bedroom. Her cloak and corset came off easily, leaving the sweaty lower layers. He sat her on the bed, got her boots off, and then, the skirt slid free. Orla had replaced her clothing after the fight, so she was naked pretty quickly.

His clothing disappeared with a heartbeat of focus, and he sat her against the headboard and then sat next to her and held her hand.

She was expecting him to pounce, but he just smiled. “We start when you want and stop when you want. I will even reset for you to a point you were comfortable.”

“What about if you are uncomfortable? I am pretty sure that I am going to bite. Okay, I am positive. There isn’t any going back for you.”

“What about you?”

“Well, technically, if I found another Rowen around somewhere, I could have him.” She shrugged. “But that seems like a lot of work.”

He grinned and slid down in the bed. “Well, I have dreamed of you for a decade or two, so just having you here is amazing. I am content with that.”

Emery looked down his body and saw the distinct proof that he was lying. “Content? If that is content, I would hate to see you aroused. Do you grow a second one?”

He snorted and grabbed her by the waist, draping her over him. “Funny. No. One is enough.” He stroked a hand down her spine. “If it isn’t, let me know, and I will see what I can do.”

She giggled and kissed him.

He was true to his word, and they took it slow. When his stroking fingers brought her to climax, she couldn’t hold back anymore, and her mouth clamped down on his arm. The surface veins on his body turned black and green before fading. When her mouth finished pumping venom into him, she relaxed her jaw and tried to kiss it better.

He stared at her in astonishment. He was shaking as he rolled her to her back and slowly slid into her. Two hours of fingering made his entrance easy.

He shuddered in relief, and she tried to get used to the feeling. When he started to move, it was carefully, and the next time she came, he was with her.

He raised his head and said, “Do you know how long the venom lasts?”

She shook her head. “Is it bad?”

“How are you feeling?”

“Fine. No aches and pains.”

“Good. No, it isn’t bad, but let me know if you get sore. I haven’t felt this good since I learned how to walk again.”

“You got an erection learning to walk again?” She grinned.

“Oh, yeah. Finally, all the blood could move around evenly. It was eye-opening.” He was moving inside her slowly.

“Yeah, eye-opening is a good word.” She slid her hands up his sweaty arms. Dark light was pouring out of her, and he didn’t seem to mind. “I will be here for you as long as you need me.”

He chuckled. “Welcome to the next two centuries.”

“Boy, are you optimistic.” He kissed her, and they continued to move together, changed position, and began again.

She felt irritation from Avaknell the moment she woke up. Emery guessed at what their first contact was going to sound like and knew it would involve a lot of yelling.

---