A Demon Made Me Do It(90)

He holds me quietly. His two hearts beat steadily on my back, and his warm breath tickles my neck and ears as he presses his cheek to the side of my head. I try to focus on how good Bones feels, instead of on the eternal torment I’ve suffered since Kieron’s departure.

Bones had said he wanted to talk, but he doesn’t say anything. The silence is nice, so peaceful and relaxing. I sit there in his arms, letting our heartbeats and breaths synchronize. At least an hour passes before either of us stirs.

“Lucky,” he finally whispers into my ear. I angle my head slightly back towards him, and feel his hot breath on my cheek. “How long have we been friends?”

I smile, slightly puzzled. “I dunno…a while…twelve, thirteen years?”

“And in all that time, have you ever wondered if maybe we’re supposed to be more to each other than just friends? I mean, I know right now you’re going through some nasty stuff, but do you ever think you could feel the same way about me that you did for…him?” His voice is barely audible, but it sends shockwaves through my brain. My stomach flips and sinks.

“Bones,” I sigh, snuggling deeper into his chest. “You don’t know how badly I wish it could be you who was the one for me. So bad. So bad it hurts. I care about you so much…”

“So what is it, then? What’s stopping you? Please tell me, because for the life of me I can’t figure it out.” He brushes my hair behind my ear and nuzzles my neck.

Why can’t things ever be easy, just for once? Why can’t he be who I want him to be? Why can’t he be like Kieron?

I immediately shove the last wish away. I don’t want Kieron. Not anymore. Not after what he did.

My mind knows it. Problem is, my heart doesn’t want to listen.

“Bones…we have a good thing here, and I don’t want to lose you, ever. If we try to be something more and it doesn’t work out…”

“But why wouldn’t it work out? We’ve been great together all these years. We’ve been through so much, and we’re closer than ever. Why do you think that would suddenly go away if we became more serious? If I was yours and you were…mine. All…mine.” He gulps and I feel his hearts skip a few beats.

I tilt my face to his. Our eyes lock.

For a brief flash, I convince myself that the outside world doesn’t exist—that he won’t bed multitudes of other women, night after night, and gaze on them with the same sweet, loving and seductive eyes he’s showing me now. For a moment, I ignore the fact that he’ll only love half of me, and my neglected twin will always despise him.

Maybe this is the best I can hope for. Maybe I don’t get to have someone who can love all of me and have all of me love him back. Maybe that’s the deal. Maybe Bones really is the one I’m supposed to be with, and Kieron had only tricked me into thinking otherwise.

A moment of denial is all it takes.

Bones lowers his face to mine and kisses me with the gentle expertise of a skilled lover. I close my eyes, and, forgetting all the reasons why I shouldn’t, allow myself to succumb to his tender embrace.

Gently, he lays me on the ground, pillowing my head with his hand. He swiftly removes his black sweater, placing it under my head where his hand had been, then hoists himself on top of me. Our kisses come fast and furious. We’re headed for dangerous territory, but I don’t care. I stroke his silky soft skin, and nibble on his arms and neck.

He begins unfastening the hooks to my corset, one by one. As it falls aside, revealing my naked breasts, I feel no shame. Hungrily, he feasts on my arms, kissing and suckling every spot of skin as if it’s the sweetest honey. His every touch sends shivers of fire up and down my spine, and when he loosens his pants and lets them fall, I know we’ve passed the point of no return.

He presses his naked body down on me, and I run my hands over his smooth, sculpted back. He kisses me deeper, brushing his fingers through my hair and delicately stroking my neck. My body is a blazing inferno, and even with my eyes closed, I see perfectly his exquisite face.

Slowly, his trail of kisses travels down my neck, between my breasts, and to my abdomen. He gently glides his hands up under my long dress, tickling the inside of my thighs with his fingertips. My body squirms and writhes with anxious anticipation. Never have I craved anything as badly as I crave him right now. My back arches, desperate to feel his skin on mine. His hands massage my hips as he kisses his way back up my body, each kiss deliberate and torturous. I eagerly await the feel of his mouth on mine again.

Finally, his hot breath reaches my neck, my face, and at last, my lips, as he devours me once more. The full skirt of my dress is still an uncomfortable barrier to what my body most desires, and as I start to lift it up, I hear the hypnotic suggestion in my ear.