Page 61 of Body and Soul

I took a shaky breath. “No, you're not imagining it. I feel it too. Whatever this is.”

Bryce's lips curved into a small, pleased smile. “Good. That's... that's good.” His hand slid from my hair to cup my jaw, his calloused palm rasping against my stubble. “I like you, Eli. A lot.”

I turned my face into his touch, my lips grazing his skin. “I like you too, Bryce. More than I probably should, considering we just met.”

“Because of Shepherd?” Bryce asked, brows furrowed.

“Not because of Shepherd. I mean, yeah, it’s a little weird you two share a body. But I like you for you. You’re fun, easy to be around. I feel like I can relax and be myself with you.”

Bryce’s smile widened, his eyes warm with something like relief. “Glad you feel that way. I worried I might be a placeholder for Shepherd.”

“Never,” I said firmly, holding his gaze. “You're your own person. I want to get to knowyou, Bryce.”

Bryce huffed a soft laugh. “Well, in that case...” He licked his lips, a flash of pink that drew my gaze like a magnet. “Can I kiss you, Eli? I've been thinking about it all night.”

My breath caught in my throat. “Yes,” I breathed, already leaning in. “Please.”

Bryce closed the gap between us, sealing his mouth over mine. The first brush of his lips sent sparks of pleasure racing over my skin. He kissed with the same playful confidence he did everything else, his mouth moving against mine with purpose and skill.

I melted into the kiss, my hands coming up to fist in the front of his shirt, tugging him closer. Bryce's lips moved against mine with sensual purpose, his stubble rasping deliciously against my skin. I opened for him eagerly, welcoming the slick slide of his tongue as he licked into my mouth. He tasted like the Coke we'd been drinking, sweet and slightly chemical. I chased the flavor, tangling my tongue with his, reveling in the slick, filthy glide.

Bryce made a low noise of approval, his hand sliding from my jaw to cup the back of my head, holding me in place as he deepened the kiss. His other hand found my hip, gripping tight and tugging until I got the hint and swung a leg over to straddle his lap.

We both groaned at the new position, our bodies aligned from chest to groin. I could feel the thick line of his arousal pressingagainst mine through our jeans, separated only by a few flimsy layers of fabric. I rocked down instinctively, seeking more of that delicious friction.

Bryce tore his mouth away from mine with a gasp. “Fuck, Eli, you're gonna kill me.” His hips bucked up to meet my downward grind, his hands finding my ass and squeezing. “We gotta slow down.”

I whined, trying to chase his lips, but he held me back with a gentle hand on my chest. “Why?” I asked breathlessly, my brain fuzzy with lust.

Bryce smiled ruefully, his hands gentling on my hips. “Because as much as I'm enjoying this, I need to make sure we're on the same page before things go any further.”

I frowned, confusion cutting through the haze of arousal. “What do you mean?”

Bryce sighed, his thumbs rubbing soothing circles over my hipbones. “I'm asexual, Eli. Sex isn't my thing.”

I blinked, trying to process that. “You don't like sex at all?”

“It's not that I don't like it,” Bryce clarified. “It feels good, like any other physical activity. I'm just not sexually attracted to people. Sex for me is like... I don't know, going for a jog or eating a good burger. I enjoy it in the moment, but it's not something I crave or seek out.”

I mulled that over, shifting back slightly on Bryce's lap so I could see his face better. He watched me steadily, his expression open and honest, a hint of vulnerability in his dark eyes.

“So when you said you liked me...” I trailed off, not sure how to finish the thought.

“I meant it,” Bryce said firmly. “I like you a lot, Eli. You're funny and smart and easy to talk to. I love spending time with you. Kissing you, touching you, it all feels amazing.”

I sat back further on Bryce's lap, putting some space between our bodies as I tried to gather my racing thoughts. As much asI ached to keep kissing him, to grind against him until we both found release, I knew we needed to talk this through first.

“I'm not sure I fully understand the asexual thing,” I admitted, worrying my lip ring with my teeth. “But I want to. I like you too, Bryce. A lot. And I don't want to do anything that might make you uncomfortable or push you into something you don't want.”

Bryce's smile softened, his hands sliding up to rest on my waist. “Thank you for saying that. I want you to know I'm not sex-repulsed or anything. I do enjoy sex on a physical level. It's more that I don't experience sexual attraction or crave sex. Does that make sense?”

I nodded slowly. “I think so. It's like... sex isn't a need for you, but more of an optional activity you can take or leave?”

“Exactly.” Bryce looked relieved. “So while I’m enjoying this, it won’t be regular for me. Not like with Shepherd or Keres. Also…full confession…I’m vanilla as hell. Not into the kink.”

I nodded slowly, absorbing Bryce's words. It was a lot to process. I'd been so caught up in the heady rush of attraction and desire, I hadn't stopped to consider the complexities of getting involved with someone who shared a body with the man I submissively served.

The mention of Shepherd sent a jolt of guilt through me. He had expressly forbidden me from engaging in sexual activity with anyone else, a rule that extended to Keres as well. But did it also apply to Bryce? Technically, Shepherd had never specified his other alters in that particular restriction.

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