Part 34 (1/2)

When he came back, Rinna was standing at the side of the room, eying the blankets and pillows.

She looked up as he approached, her expression uncertain. ”You're planning to sleep next to me?”

”I'd like to.”

”Just sleep?”

”Well, I was hoping for a little more,” he admitted. ”You can decide how much.”

He saw her swallow. Making himself busy, he turned off the TV, then the lamp, leaving the hall light on so that it provided some low light.

After kicking off his shoes, he lay down with his clothes on, his breathing shallow as he watched her think about her next move. Aware of her tension, he stacked his hands behind his head, trying to look as casual as possible.

When she sat down gingerly on the edge of the blanket, he made no move to reach for her.

In a conversational voice, he said, ”You told me it felt good when I kissed you and touched you. I was hoping you might do that to me.”

”What do you mean?”

”Turn the tables. See how it feels to be the one in charge.”

He lay without moving, hoping she'd accept the invitation. And when she moved closer, he grinned at her.

”I won't move my hands,” he promised. ”You're free to do anything you want-or not.”

She looked like she didn't quite believe him.

”You won't reach for me?”

”Cross my heart and hope to die.”

She made a small sound. ”We say that!”

”Something we have in common.”

She bent her head, and he saw her looking at his lips. He closed his eyes, waiting, struggling to keep his breathing even.

When she leaned over and gently brushed her mouth against his, he made a sound of encouragement. She moved her head back and forth, her lips b.u.t.terfly light.

”I'm not very... experienced,” she whispered.

”Just do what feels good to you.”

”How do I know it will feel good to you?”

”Because that's the beauty of it. The things you like doing, I'll like, too.”

She pressed her lips more firmly against his. Then drew back so she could stroke her tongue along the seam. When he opened for her, she slid her tongue just inside, caressing the inside of his lips. He felt his breath quicken, felt his body harden.

It took every ounce of will power he possessed not to reach for her and pull her body against his, but he kept his hands where they were behind his head.