Small particles of light streamed around the room, so when I rolled across to my side I was blindsided by a massive expanse of bare chest.
I froze.
My eyes darted left and right as I tried to figure out what to do. I could see – and scent – that there were no Compasses left in the room except Braxton. We had needed sleep the most; the other boys would have bailed earlier and left us to our rest. My body softened as I studied the face across from me. It was only in sleep that Braxton seemed relaxed, young even. When he was awake it was easy to forget he was only twenty-two, he carried so much strength and domination. The power he wielded was the same as that of the elders.
I scooted a little closer. I couldn’t help myself. I was drawn to him and I was starting to see that this was not going away – the need was increasing.
And I didn’t want to fight it any longer.
I continued to watch him. There wasn’t the slightest sign that he was awake, no change in breathing or even flicker of an eye – when suddenly his lids flew open and piercing blue eyes pinned me to place. I held my breath. No doubt, Braxton and I had reached the point where we had to deal with this thing between us. I felt as if I was going to self-destruct if I didn’t touch him. If he didn’t touch me. If we didn’t … damn, I’m in trouble.
We were silent for many long moments, the flow of energy between us so strong it was almost visible. Braxton reached out a long arm then and cupped his hand around the back of my head. My breath caught in my throat. His other hand scooted behind my ass, and then, with exquisite care – and an anticipation which almost had me moaning – he dragged me closer. So slowly did he close the distance between our bodies.
The few times I allowed myself to dream about being with Braxton, I’d imagined it hard and fast, passions overwhelming us as we lost control. So far it was the opposite: tender and gentle. I wasn’t sure if he was savoring our moment or if he was giving me the chance to stop him. But if that’s what he was waiting for, he was going to be very disappointed.
At some point I’d made this decision, and now I was following through no matter what the consequences were. The emotions threatening to burst from my chest were so strong, the attraction and years of love I held for him so overwhelming, nothing could tear me from this moment.
My body arched as he continued closing the distance between us, nipples tightening in anticipation of having them pressed against his delicious body. Something he’d surely noticed in my very thin tank. I ran my eyes across him. There was not a flaw on Braxton, he was broad everywhere important, narrow in the hips, with strong muscled legs. I’d seen him naked enough to know he was as endowed as you’d expect any dragon to be. Freaking huge. It kind of scared me a little – well, except that it also had my insides turning into a quivering mess and my panties wet. Besides that part, it was a little daunting.
I parted my lips in anticipation, my breathing heading toward the panting side, but who could blame me.
Braxton’s face was calm except for the smallest of smiles which crept up and flashed dimple at me. I was such a freaking sucker for those dimples. I swear the boys only had to dimple up and I turned into a simpering mess. I was pretty good at hiding it from them, but they could have gotten anything from me if they just hit me with enough of their smiles. Braxton especially.
He was still staring, the smile fading out to be replaced by a blazing heat. Exactly like a flame: dangerous and tempting.
“You sure?”
My breath stuttered as he spoke. His huskiness scraped down every nerve ending I possessed.
This was the second time he had asked me to be sure about my choice, and somehow I knew it would be the last time. He was giving me one more out. I was not taking it. That ache which had started low last night was something much bigger today. My lower half was a ball of throbbing need.
Braxton was still slowly inching me toward him; it was torturous, but I was loving every second of it. The anticipation was delicious.
When there was about an inch between us, our bodies humming but not touching yet, he took the hand which had been behind my head and slowly drew it from my back and along my collar bone. He didn’t stop there though, his massive hand continued lower, brushing over both of my breasts. My nipples were hard, begging for his attention. He followed the path of my body until his hand rested against my abdomen.
“I can feel your need, your pain…”
I arched up into him again. “Why are you torturing me then?” I was a little pissed that I sounded so breathy, but this was what Braxton did to me and we had barely touched yet. My need was greater than I’d ever felt with any other shifter.