Page 9 of To No End

Gris scoffed, “I absolutely can’t be responsible for a daughter of a High Lord experiencing anything less than the respect andacknowledgment of her standing on my watch.” He paused. “Even if they say the Seafarers are quite passionate lovers...”

I rolled my eyes into a look, like one more word and he’d be explaining to his mother why there was broken glass all over her beautiful rug.

Gris began to move slowly toward me, and I could see desire building in his study of me. Something I usually witnessed him direct at one of our many fawning classmates, but it was something entirely different to see it turned toward me.

“Are you sure about this, Cress?” He placed his smooth hand around my waist and settled it on my lower back, my breath hitching audibly from the heat.

He bent down, leaning into my ear, and said in a taunting whisper, “You’re going to have to stop being so nervous at my touch if this is really what you want.”

I turned my face to match his dark gaze, and I could feel his breath on my neck. I took in the citrus scent of him, and I was failing to see how this beautiful male, this friend, had never seduced me before. Here in this space, welcoming him to cross the threshold, I realized I was entirely taken by him.

He refused to speak another word, waiting for me. I did what I knew how to do and to show him I was serious, so serious that I’d make the first move.

I quickly grabbed both sides of his face, clumsily pulled him toward me and crushed my lips to his. Fiercely and passionately, I swept my tongue into his mouth, with a dominance he reciprocated. We both tasted like the golden liquid we had just consumed, and it reminded me to have courage.

For what seemed like forever, Gris and I explored each other with our mouths—and occasionally, our hands. This was unknown territory for us both, because it was crossing a line we had clearly set for ourselves.

Friends don’t kiss this way, don’t touch this way, but I had called in the bargain and he showed little to no reluctance acquiescing. I wondered how much of that had to do with him wanting me, or wanting someone in general. Or was he really just doing this as a favor for a friend?

Gris was far more experienced than me. From the kissing alone you would not have known how inexperienced I was. But kissing had always been my favorite. I was good at it, more than good—I was great. I felt confident that I was ensnaring his lust with each swipe of my tongue across his.

When I bit down gently on his lower lip and pulled away slowly, the surprised lust flickering in his eyes started to warm me from the inside, and my stomach felt like it was beginning to tighten in knots.

Gris was taller than me, and I had to stand on the tips of my toes to keep him close. He bent down and once again spoke quietly in my ear, “Should I make you stand on your toes the whole time, or shall I take you somewhere more comfortable?”

I pulled away and glanced up at him. Hearing that smolder in his voice was like looking at a stranger, but one that I was extremely turned on by.

“I’d like that,” I practically whispered while blinking furiously to remind myself this was actually happening.

Before I could say another word, Gris picked me up and threw me over his broad shoulder, his muscular arms wrapped under my rear to hold me close while I dangled over him. This is not what I meant.

“What are you doing? Put me down.” I fought while pounding my tiny fists into his back as he kept walking, heading down a hallway to a room I’d never been in.

“Cress, you’re not in charge today, just let me lead.”

And there it was, the dance of seduction that I was not familiar with. I was used to leading, being in control, and having a well-prepared response. I hated feeling out of control. It wasn’t in my nature. I planned and prepared for everything.

I tried to lean into the moment and let Gris have his way with me, even if it meant him stupidly carrying me like a sack over his shoulder. I had to admit, this unseen side of Gris was more than just a little alluring.

He tossed me onto the bed like I weighed nothing. I looked around the room, not recognizing it and wondering where he had taken me.

He could easily read the thoughts on my face. “You’re wondering why I’ve brought you here and not my room? Well, I don’t feel like the room we’ve grown up in together is a setting that is going to do anything for either of us.”

He wasn’t wrong, not in the slightest. Gris was a quick thinker like that, but also considerate. Probably wasn’t the best idea to be in a room I’ve seen many times throughout all the ages of our youth.

The room was filled with harsh sunlight, and I was beginning to feel shy about my body being on display in all the illumination. I hadn’t accounted for the fact that my surprise visit should have been at night.

Before I could say a word, he walked over to the window and drew the lapis-blue curtains closed, leaving behind only the dim candlelight which appeared with a snap of his fingers.

It was odd to see Gris using even minor bits of magic. At school, we were discouraged from relying on our gifts and made to understand that they were a waste of focus and energy. To become reliant upon them would make us weak. It was sort of considered taboo or unbecoming to use magic for simple things.

That’s when I realized that beyond lighting the candles, he was also reading my mind. It’s how he knew I was fixated on the sunlight and the windows.

“Hey. Stay out of my head!”

I was quickly consumed with embarrassment. How many other times had he invaded my thoughts since I arrived? I would have to do my best to shield anything else for fear of him learning the truth. How was I ever going to focus on my mental shields while trying to be present for the task at hand? I hardly ever practiced keeping them up.

Before I could argue any further, he pounced on top of me. Both of his strong legs pinned me to the bed like a cage, and he leaned forward with a devious smile. “Make me.”

---