I found reasons to touch the lethal assassin and to be as close as I could possibly get. It was different from how I was with Cash, but still uncomfortably intense. I didn’t feel like I could stop even if I wanted to.
But I didn’t want to stop.
I’d been waiting for this ever since she kissed me. No, ever since I met her.
No surprise, Jo was the same as ever—in total control and unbelievably patient with me.
She pulled her hair loose, and it fell around her shoulders in a waterfall of dark and shiny. I was held captive by the sight and reached out. The soft tendrils moved through my fingers like thesoftest silk. Her smirk greeted my next glance as I continued to move my fingers through her hair, brushing it away from her face and shoulders, mesmerized by her beauty.
Her skin was so smooth and luminous. Barely-there scales drew my eyes to her throat and collarbone. I dodged pointed ears and the heated stare taking all of me in as I absently traced the faded bond rune on her neck. But I didn’t stay for long. I quickly steered away when an emotion I couldn’t name crept into my throat, threatening to break the spell of being close to her. I didn’t dare touch her beyond those spots.
Fidgeting under the scrutiny of her amber-haloed gaze, I was afraid to ask more about the person who’d given the rune to her. I was beyond thirsty for all the details. I wanted to know everything about Jo. Really, everyone. It bothered me that they knew practically everything there was to know about me, but I only knew the parts they’d been forced to share.
I slipped my hand back into her hair, smiling. “You’re so pretty.”
My eyes glided where I wanted my hands to go, catching on her naked stomach. Had she always been wearing this teeny-tiny crop top? With an equally tiny pair of shorts, there wasn’t much separating my curious touch from her naked body.
“Pretty isn’t a strong enough word for what you are, babe.” With a little laugh, she undid my ponytail and swept her fingers through my hair, mirroring what I’d done to her.
My eyelashes fluttered helplessly, craving more, craving everything.
“Does that feel good?” she asked, leaning close enough that the tips of our noses nearly touched.
I nodded and hesitated with a hand in her hair. I twisted a few silky tendrils around my fingers and danced my nails around her scalp. The little breaths she stole when she thought I wasn’t listening, the unbidden sounds that escaped her mouth when thewoman was rarely out of control, the subtle movement of her hips to come closer, was everything to me right now. Anything Jo did felt like a reward.
“It all feels fucking incredible. Sorry for being so weird. I blame the magic,” I told her on a little whispery breath.
The wet heat of her mouth hit mine in an amused huff. “You can touch me anywhere you want. In fact, I insist.”
Jo captured my hand and guided it down her throat to her chest. The softness of her skin put me into a trance. My breath caught and I stiffened, completely under her spell. Moisture had all but left my mouth and I had to wet my lips with her breast pressing under my hand. My pulse was an anxious thud in my ears.
Grabbing me around my neck, she forced me to stay in the moment as she led my hand under her shirt. The elevated thrum in my ears and rising heat in my face gave my lust away, painted me in the colors of my desire for her. Her eyes never left mine, as if encouraging me to be a little more daring. As if knowing I was terrified to cross the line more than we already had.
You’d think under the influence of both bond magic and the Season I wouldn’t struggle to be brave. I’d never once hesitated with an enemy. Fighting was in my blood, so what was it about Jo that made me nervous every damn time? Why did she make my hands quiver and body tremble? Why did it feel like no matter if we did this a few times or a thousand, I’d always be shaky and breathless around her?
The unbelievable feeling of her was an instant shock to the system, and I hesitated again. My panic kicked up as my fingers made contact with the top of her breast, without the barrier of her shirt between my hand and her velvety skin.
It should be a crime being this damn soft and supple. I could touch her all day and night for a hundred years and it’d still never be enough.
I swallowed and took the shape of her breast with my palm, eyes flicking up in caution. The breath she released, as if she’d been as desperate as I was, shot a thrill down my spine. Put sweeping heat between my hips. I rubbed my thighs together, already wet, and firmed my touch ever so slightly. Another breath, but this one hitched, and I stiffened.
I never had to worry about hurting the guys. Being rough with them never gave me pause. And Jo wasn’t fragile. Far from it. I just really didn’t want to do anything that she didn’t like. My confidence waned in the face of such a beautiful and experienced woman.
“Like this?” I asked, barely audible. It was pretty impressive how shy I managed to be. Every part of me wanted every part of her, but I still hesitated like a total noob, worried about my inexperience.
“Really touch me, V. You don’t need to be careful,” she whispered, her voice much deeper than it’d been before. “I won’t break.”
I bit my lip and squeezed, but quickly tensed when her hand slipped under my shirt. “I don’t know what to do.”
I wanted to make it feel good for her, but how was I supposed to do that when I’d never been with a woman? I wasn’t confident I’d be more than a novice she was forced to guide through all of it.
Girls were always pretty to me, but I’d never considered exploring their bodies, chasing the sounds they made, seeking their pleasure the same way I sought mine until I met Jo. It was new and scary. Scarier than facing down an army of enemies. Everything about her was.
I didn’t know how to do any of this.
But I wanted to.
“Do whatever the fuck you want,Zescha.”
