Page 478 of Shadowblood Souls
Without hesitation, Riva walks over to my bed and clambers onto it. She sits there on the covers, her knees drawn partway to her chest, and waits to see what I’ll do.
I haven’t even touched her yet, and I’m already fighting to keep my legs from shaking. I follow her and ease onto the covers beside her, leaving about a foot of space between us.
Dominic joins us silently, perching on the edge of the mattress near the headboard, his tentacles looped in front of him. Ready but not intruding, our protective witness.
Maybe it should feel weird to have him here for this moment, but my nerves settle a little as soon as he’s in position.
I watched him and the other guys hook up with Riva on my behalf just weeks ago. There was nothing wrong with sharing that moment between us either.
Riva has stayed perfectly still, giving me space to decide how I want to proceed. Making sure I don’t feel pressured.
Gazing at her, my heart swells with so much love it chokes me up.
I raise my hand and bring it gingerly to her cheek. Stroke my thumb over her soft skin, up and down, until the frantic thunder of my pulse ebbs.
Her mouth draws my attention, and the thumping rises again. I refocus my self-control. “I—I’d like to kiss you.”
Riva beams at me. “I’d like that too.”
She turns her shoulders toward me but doesn’t lean forward. Still letting me come to her at my own pace.
I’ve never kissed anyone before, not really. I’m probably going to be horrible at this.
But something about this woman draws me in like a magnet. Even as I tilt toward her, quivers run through my veins as if the smoky essence in my blood is propelling me closer.
My lips brush hers, and heat flares beneath my skin. I can’t help pressing my mouth harder against hers, drinking in all the softness and warmth and the pleased little sound that vibrates from her into me.
My head is spinning, but suddenly this doesn’t feel so difficult. Everything about the situationisdifferent, so different.
It’s Riva. My woman—the woman I love. The only woman I’ve ever wanted.
My fingers trail down to her jaw as I kiss her again. But another tremor ripples through me, my fears still clinging on.
How much farther can I take this? What if there’s a moment when my buried panic switches on and the beast comes out?
If I feel it coming, I’ll retreat. And if I’m not fast enough, that’s why Dom is here.
I can do this. Riva wants me.
And God knows I want her.
Ever so slowly, I let my fingers trail farther. Over her shoulder. Down her side. Across the curve of her hip.
My erection strains against the crotch of my pants. A fresh jolt of fear hits me.
She’s so small, and I’m so big… everywhere. Are we really going to be able to?—
The shadows singing through my blood call out,Yes, yes, yes.And so does everything in the way Riva’s responding to me, tipping her head so our mouths can meld together even more temptingly, humming encouragingly at my touch.
I want—I want to really touch her. All of her, skin to skin, nothing between us.
I want to feel how much we belong together in every meaning of that word.
Is this how the other guys all felt when they got this far? Is the act supposed to be so overwhelming?
It doesn’t matter. All that matters is how it is for her and me.
I draw back only a few inches. My voice has gone hoarse. “Can I take your shirt off?”
