Page 161 of A Breath of Life
“You want me to get dressed?”
“No.”
But I was a weak man when it came to Tallus. I lay on the bed beside him, touching the faded bruise over his heart. The words still wouldn’t come, so I distracted myself by trailing the tips of my fingers over his warm skin, admiring his perfection. It was hard to believe there existed a time when touching him was impossibly hard. It came easily now, without thought. I could hardly imagine what it would be like to be denied this pleasure. To lose it forever.
“You said you wanted to talk.”
“I do.” I scored a path over his hip and across to his navel, making him shudder. At the mouthwatering trail that led beneath his underwear, I paused and gnawed my lip.
“Is this a sex talk, D?”
I tore my attention from his groin.
He wiggled his brows.
“No. Well, yes. Um…” I cringed. I was off to a great start.
He chuckled and brushed his knuckles over my jaw. “Just say it.”
I stared into his gorgeous face, his attention rapt and loving. Patient as always. I removed his glasses and set them on the opposite pillow so I could kiss him without them being in the way. Kissing was easier than talking.
He cradled the back of my head, holding me close as I savored his tongue and lips. I treasured every moment with Tallus. I could drink from him every day for the rest of my life, and it would never be enough.
I pulled back, knowing I needed to get to the point.
He searched my eyes, his concern growing. “What’s up, big guy? Should I be worried?”
“No. I’ve been thinking about something.”
“Okay. What?” he urged when I didn’t continue.
I brushed my fingers over the spot where I’d sucked a hickey onto him a couple of weeks ago. The mark was long gone, but the request he’d made that day lingered. It ate at me more and more, especially since he’d explained the reason behind the request that night in the hospital.
Tallus wanted me to mark him. Claim him. Own him. He wanted to carry me with him wherever he went, like a brand. But it was a request I couldn’t heed. The mere thought of blemishing his flawlessskin unsettled me to my core. For the sake of my sanity, there were lines I couldn’t cross.
“Do you still want my mark on you?” I asked, knowing he did.
His gaze softened. “I know that’s something you can’t do. It’s okay. I’m sorry I pushed you before. I won’t ask again.”
“What if… What if there was an alternative?”
“Meaning?”
“What if…” I couldn’t speak the words, so I dug into my pocket and pulled out my phone. I had the page open, so once I unlocked the device, I turned it to face him.
Tallus was nearsighted, so he didn’t need his glasses to read the screen. When he finished skimming, his lips parted, and he searched my face. “D? Are you…”
“We could ditch the condoms. I could… claim you… intimately. If you want. We don’t have to. It’s a big step, but…”
“I want to. Yes. God, yes.”
“You do?” My cheeks burned.
He chuckled. “Are you kidding?”
“Oh. I… That’s good. I… Me too.”
“Is this what had you tongue-tied?”
