And it’s perfect.
I push up on my elbows, watching as Link nibbles gently on my clit. My hips arch off the floor as ecstasy rips through me in waves. With a contented sigh, I collapse to my back, all my girly parts tingling happily.
Link moves to his knees, peering down at me. He places his hand flat on my stomach, just as I did to him earlier. He pushes my shirt up, just above my belly button. He leans in slowly, his eyes holding mine as he presses his lips against my skin.
I can feel my entire body stiffen now that I’m no longer caught in the heat of the moment. But I don’t stop him. I allow him to play the game, probing and exploring. He’s gotten farther than any other player. I’m honestly rooting for the man to win.
The roughness on his chin scratches at my stomach as he moves higher, exposing more of me. His tongue glides between my ribs, his fingers joining and gliding smoothly over my skin.
“Is this okay?” My shirt is gripped in his fist, hovering just beneath my breasts. My breathing is fast. Unsure. But I nod, and he slides it up and over my head, working it free of my hair. I’m left in nothing but my bra.
As Link looks down at me, his hands pick up right where they left off. He moves higher and higher. My breath hitches in my throat. He uses the tips of his fingers, brushing them lightly over my nipple. It hardens immediately. My lips part. My abdomen contracts.
“This?” he asks, his voice hoarse.
My eyes blur with moisture as I nod my head, unable to articulate my consent. I close them, feeling a tear slip free. It glides over the side of my face, running into my ear. I don’t move to wipe it away.
I feel Link’s callused fingers on my shoulder as he slips my bra strap down. Then the other. “Okay?” he rasps.
I nod again. He touches my face and my eyes pop open. His thumb slides under my eye before he lowers himself. The veins in his arms stand out as he holds his weight. He kisses my cheek, and then the other. My forehead. My chin.
“Do you want me to stop?” he murmurs.
I have to think about it. I know I’m shaking. I know I’m breathing heavy. I know I’m crying. If he stopped, I would probably stop shaking, and breathing heavy, and crying. I know this too. What I don’t know is if it’s because I’m scared of him or if I’m scared of how much I want him.
“No,” I utter. “Don’t stop.” I finally move, lifting my hand to his face. I grasp his jaw. His eyes flutter shut and he runs his nose along my wrist, inhaling deeply. With his eyes still closed, he begins an unhurried path of kisses up my arm, working his way back to my chest.
He sweeps his tongue into my cleavage and I bite down on my lip. Link’s fingers move underneath me and I know what’s going to happen next. My stomach churns, but for once, it’s not from dread. It’s from the spike of adrenaline anticipation brings.
With quick efficiency, he unhooks the clasp, loosening my bra. It still remains over me and he makes no attempt to remove it. He kisses all around the material, his tongue leaving a scorching trail of moisture.
He begins to slip the silky material away carefully. “Is this okay?”
I don’t reply. I don’t say yes. I don’t say no. I just watch it slip away. I raise my gaze, meeting Link’s. He’s always good at masking his emotions, but whatever he sees in my eyes leaves him exposed.
The expression on his face—a mix of approval, admiration, and dread—has me tugging him down until we’re chest to chest. Skin to skin. I cling to him, wrapping my arms and legs around him. He turns his face into the crook of my neck, his breath panting against my shoulder with every harsh exhale.
“What are we doing?” I whisper.
He shakes his head, not replying. I don’t think he understands anymore than I do, but he holds on just as tightly.
Seven
Link
The desire previously fueling my brain has dissipated, leaving me feeling drained and raw. For so long now, I’ve felt the same handful of emotions—fury, grief, loneliness, regret, wrath—and more recently, numbness. I can’t identify what I’m experiencing now.
I don’t understand the reaction I have to this woman.
But I know I can’t afford the distraction.
I sink my palms into the carpet and push myself off Rocky, rolling to my back. I pull my boxers on, unable to look at her.
I miss Livie so much at this moment.
Though I can feel the heaviness of her gaze, Rocky stands up without a word. She sweeps the blanket off the back of the couch and wraps it around her shoulders like a cape. I watch all of this with my peripheral vision, not ready to meet those dark eyes, slowly showing sparks of life.
The air shifts as she moves past me quickly. I continue to get dressed. The apartment is growing darker as the sun begins to set outside. I should go. I’ve already stayed longer than I meant to.