Page 24 of Secretly Abducted
"This is full body contact."
"Same thing. You're comfortable."
He's already drifting off, his breathing evening out against my shoulder. His skin is so much warmer than mine, almost feverish in comparison. But gradually, my body begins to relax. His weight is comforting. His presence is soothing.
My bioluminescence slowly shifts from anxious gold to something softer. Content.
Just before I drift off, I feel him smile against my shoulder.
"Knew you'd be a good cuddler," he mumbles.
I fall asleep still glowing, but for once, I don't mind. The last thought I have is that my perfectly ordered dwelling will never be quite the same.
And maybe that's not a bad thing.
Chapter Six
Alex
I wake up slowly, aware first of warmth, then of the soft blue glow against my closed eyelids. Vel'aan's bioluminescence. He's awake—I can tell by the slight tension in his body, the way his breathing isn't quite as deep as it was during sleep.
I don't move yet, just lie there enjoying the feeling of being pressed against his side. My arm is still across his chest where I threw it hours ago, and he hasn't pushed me away. That has to mean something, right?
"Morning," I murmur against his shoulder, not opening my eyes.
"Good morning." His voice is soft, uncertain.
I stretch slightly, the movement pressing me closer against him. His skin is cool and smooth under my arm, and I can feel his bioluminescence pulse brighter at the contact.
"Sleep well?" I ask, finally opening my eyes to look up at him. He's staring at the ceiling, patterns of gold and blue shifting across his skin.
"Yes."
"Me too." I shift, propping myself up on one elbow to see him better. "You're very comfortable."
"I should get up," he says, but doesn't move. "There will be significant storm damage to assess."
"In a minute." I let my hand drift down from his chest to rest on his stomach. The muscles there tense immediately, and his glow intensifies. "This is nice."
"Alex..."
"What?" I keep my touch light, just resting there, feeling the way his skin warms slightly under my palm. "I like being here with you."
"We should really get up."
"Should we?" My fingers find the hem of his sleep pants, playing with the fabric absently. The material is soft, well-worn. "I can think of better ways to start the morning."
He goes very still. "What do you mean?"
I trace along the waistband with one finger, barely touching. "How do you feel about morning sex?"
The reaction is explosive. He jerks away from me like I've burned him, practically falling off the platform in his scramble to put distance between us. His bioluminescence erupts in chaotic patterns—purple and white and a sickly green I haven't seen before.
"We hardly know each other!" His voice cracks slightly. He's pressed against the wall now, arms wrapped around himself defensively.
I sit up, confused and a little hurt. "What? Yesterday we—"
"Yesterday was... yesterday was too much. Too fast." He won't look at me, his gaze fixed on the floor. "This is inappropriate."
