Page 119 of Gates of Rapture
“Leto,” Grace whispered against his ear.“Why so distressed?”
He looked at her.“You can feel that?”
“Yes.Your whole body has grown tense.I want to make love to you, and your thoughts are practically shouting at me.”
He shook his head.“I’m not sure exactly what’s bugging me.I’ve been uneasy ever since seeing the southern sky lit with those bombs.Greaves will want revenge.We’ve wounded something far worse than anything physical.”
“His pride.”
“Yes, at the very least his pride.But we’ve stripped him of his advantage.”
She pushed away from him and threw herself backward into the water only to rise and float, her breasts like two small islands, her eyes closed.
Leto watched her float.Dammit, he’d ruined the moment for her.He had only been thinking of his own fears and concerns.But Grace was the one who had done the heavy lifting tonight, and her success should be celebrated.
“I feel like an ass.”
“Well, then come feel my ass but not until you’re ready.I can wait.”
He stood up and pushed through the water to get to her.She stayed floating on her back.She was looking up at the dark night sky.
“The mist you created over the pool is beautiful.You have a small swirl that’s quite elegant.”
He dipped down and put his hands beneath her back to support her, then he moved her in a circle faster and faster until she was giggling.But the restraint was there, within him, almost screaming at him:Don’t get involved, don’t get close, don’t give your heart, don’t forget how quickly a war can rob you of everything.Would he ever be free of this terrible holding back, this unwillingness to engage fully with her?
He feared the answer.
And he was definitely being an ass.
So he gave her the one thing he could give her, but this time all he had to do was think the thought and he began to transform.
***
Grace felt the movement in the water, like gentle pushes here and there.Leto had released her back.She sighed.But her eyes were closed, and she was trying hard not to be so disappointed.
All she had wanted was to be with Leto, and have him go beast for her, but he seemed lost in his worries and she couldn’t fix that.So, she floated and tried not to think about him or the tangible space that seemed to always be between them despite the fact that they were fully bonded.
Then she realized what that pushing sensation was.
She popped her eyes open and stood up in the water.
She gasped.“How did you do that?I didn’t know except the movements in the water felt a little different.”
He looked down at her from his increased height.His fangs had emerged.All that former desire came rushing back to her, especially since the moist air of the hot spring smelled heavily of the forest and man, Leto and beast.
Her nostrils flared as she took in his scent.At the same time, she put her hands on his massive pecs and began to fondle him.She loved his body in this state.She could hardly explain it.But he was just more of himself: more to touch, to feel, to experience from both his sensations as well as hers.
She slid her hands around his waist intending to hug him, but she felt his wing-locks and they were dripping.
She drew in a sharp breath.“Turn around,” she commanded.
His eyelids sank low.“Meadow scent.”
“Just turn around.”
He obeyed, and the water sloshed from his heavy thighs; small waves washed over her.She began at the lowest wing-lock and rubbed back and forth.He arched his back and roared.
The sound gripped her low, which caused him to roar again.
