Chapter 26
Bosse stared at Alifairin wonder.
He’d brought other women to climax, but nothing that intense. Watching her had taken his breath.
When she could keep her eyes open, she watched him as if waiting for him to change his mind about stopping now.
Not tonight. She didn’t understand what it would mean for them to join fully. She spoke of having tonight in case there was no other. He would give her many more days of life. Until then, she wasn’t ready to make a life decision.
He ached to drive into her and take her as his, but to do so would change everything. It would be unfair of him to expect her to make that decision in the middle of this castle with her determined to fulfill this duty she carried.
He’d seen the shadows under her eyes when he walked in and knew she’d sleep if she relaxed. Touching her had not been the plan. He’d told himself he could live with the dreams and fantasies until he had her somewhere safe.
She had changed his mind.
He had no regrets and considered every time he touched her a gift.
“Are you having performance anxiety?” she asked, trying to smother another yawn. She lifted up and looked specifically at his bulging crotch. “I don’t see how that’s possible from here.”
“You’re a mouthy thing,” he told her with warmth. She had not been overly mouthy until the night she’d demanded he escape. That’s when he noticed she had an iron will, even when she shook with fear.
Stepping off the bed, he said, “I’ll be back.” Then he went into the bathroom, wanting to ease his painful condition but fearing she’d start doubting herself if he were gone too long.
She could be a force to deal with while putting guards to sleep and releasing a dangerous shifter to escape. But he’d seen a different look on her face tonight. She’d talked with confidence, but her eyes warned she worried about being rejected.
Her emotions sat on her shoulders for all to see. She’d been trying so hard to sound sure of herself for him to tell her no without hurting her.
He’d wanted her even more.
But he could not step over a line. During the flight here with the Gallize shifters, he’d thought this through and accepted that he might not see her again after they found her friend.
He would not leave her feeling slighted by going too far tonight if she had to return to her people without him. They feared shifters.
When he returned to the bed, he had a damp rag in hand. Her eyes were drifting shut again. He hesitated to touch her, but he had to do this for her. As he gently washed her, Alifair’s eyes came open. “Oh my.”
She said the most unexpected things.
He smiled to himself and finished. “Stay there and keep the bed warm for me.”
“I will.” Her words slurred with exhaustion. “Your turn. Right?” She’d barely spoken the last word.
With one last look into the room, he confirmed Alifair had fallen asleep. He shucked his clothes in the poor excuse for a bathroom and poured cold water in the basin for a chilly washing. That gave him some relief. He had to get control of his libido before climbing into that bed with her again.
There were limits to what he could refuse after so long without.
As much as he’d like to have taken all she offered, he found watching her climax exhilarating.
