112 Never say goodbye (1/2)

Russ cracked the door open slowly and as quietly as he could but still managed to wake Shelly. He tiptoed over to her as her sleepy eyes adjusted to the dark. He raised his finger to his lips as she snarled her upper lip of her long canines and snarled. ”Shh, I promise I'm not here to be a dick.” His sister narrowed her eyes at him. ”I promise, Shell. They are talking about sending me away. I got to make things right before then... hopefully to prevent it all together but at least before...”

The anger faded quickly from the wolf's eyes and she nodded her head. Pushing herself up from the comfy pile of pillows and blankets Jos had arranged for her by the fireplace, she made her way toward the door looking back briefly at Jos's sleeping form before finally exiting the room.

”Thank you!” Russ whispered as he shut and locked the door. He turned toward the spacious king bed in the center of the room and the tiny ball curled up in it's center. A smile crept across his lips as he neared the best and her sleeping face came into better view. It was hard, looking at her especially when she slept, to see her as any thing more than a cute, young woman. Russ stroked a hand over her silvery hair and lifted one of two plats. His smile widened as she eyes flickered open and puzzled aqua pools gazed up at him.

”Russ?” She whispered as she pushed back the bedding and set up in bed wiping the drowsiness out of her eyes with two balled up fists.

Russ couldn't help the grin that spread across is face. She looked simply adorable in pink plaid pajama shorts and a loss matching solid pink shirt with her hair platted in two long pig tails. The way she rubbed the sleep from her eyes made her look younger than him instead of older by several centurys. He slowly and carefully slid onto the bed beside her. ”Jos...” He reached out and took her hands pulling them away from her face. When her eyes met his, he continued. ”I'm sorry for earlier. I didn't mean what I said. I was jealous and instead of manning up I took it out on you.” He released one of her hands and stroked the side of her head taking special care not to disturb her braid. ”I love you and I know you love me. It's not fair for me to constantly push you for more than you're ready to give. Let's start over, forget the past several months and just start fresh.”

Jos shook her head. ”I don't want to forget what we had or start over.” She crawled across the bed and onto his lap straddling him. She traced the sharp features of his face with her fingers. ”I never want to forget our time together. It has been very dear to me. I want to continue treasuring that time... this time as long as I can... for as long as we have together. I can't speak for the future, I don't even want to think about it at this point. I only want to be in the moment with you, the here and now.” She leaned forward and kissed his lips letting hers linger over his waiting for him to kiss her back. She didn't have to wait long.

Russ cupped the back of her head in both of his large hands and pulled her back down to his lips. He nipped and teased her full bottom lips as she gave back just as good. It killed him to stop her, but he pulled back releasing her head and sliding his hands down over her body until they rested against her hips. ”We have to talk. You can't turn yourself in, not yet at least. Give Ry and Arei a chance to help you, to build a defense for you. I'll stop pushing for marriage, I'll even agree to return and take up my duties there if you'll promise me you'll wait until they are better prepared.”

Jos frowned and slid off his lap. She settled by his side. Her brow knitted as she stared down at the sheets twisting them around her fingers. ”Orion, Ry, told you what I asked him?”

Russ gently lifted her face up to met his. ”He did and I can't let you do it, they aren't going to let you do that, Jos. Can't you see you're surrounded by people who love and care for you. Give us a chance to help you.” His eyes sparkled hopefully down at her. ”Say you'll at least give us a chance, Jos. I know I've asked you for things in the past you weren't able to give, but this... do this for you and for all of us who love you.”

Jos nodded as unshed tears gleamed in her eyes. ”Alright.” She reach out and wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tight for several long minutes. Loosening her grip she brushed a light kiss against his neck and then another and another until Russ pulled her away.

He chuckled as she looked puzzled up at him, her bottom lip nearly trembling. ”If you truly promise to stay and let them figure things out then there's no need for us to rush, is there?” He glided his hands up over her shoulder blades and down the length of her arms finally stopping at her wrists. He pulled them away from his neck and used his grip to press her backwards into the mattress. He gave her a devilish grin as he crossed her hands over her stomach. Holding both her hands in one of his he rolled her with his free hand onto her side. Settling his long body behind hers, he slid one arm under her neck and the other rested over her hands. He tucked her head under his chin and whispered against her soft, freshly washed hair. ”If you keep your promise, this should be fine for tonight don't you think? I can't even remember the last time I simply held you.”

Jos turned her head and leaned back against him to better see his face. ”Was there a time like that? I don't recall it...” A hint of mischief colored her words.

He chuckled at her jab. ”I'm sure there's bound to have been one, maybe before I was 18.” He leaned forward and kissed her softly.

Jos frowned, ”I can't help but feel wrong about our age difference...” Her head dropped back to his arm and she turned away. ”You're not even legally old enough to smoke or drink in the U.S. and in a few other countries.”

Russ pulled her closer against him. ”Then it's a good thing we are moving to a Greek owned island, isn't it.” He kissed her neck.

She squirmed against him. ”Are you sure cuddling is all you're wanting tonight?” She pressed her bottom against his growing erection.

He groaned against her ear. ”Ummm… Tempting as it may be, I'm sure.” He released her hands and teased the bare skin around her neckline with the tip of his finger, nipping and kissing different spots as he bared the flesh. ”Jos?”

”Hum?” She purred as she pressed her body tighter against him wiggling her bottom against his growing hardness.

”Ry said you told him you were in complete control during the... at the DeMarco's, is that true?” Russ asked in a husky voice as he ran his free hand over her hips as they moved against him.

Jos froze. ”I...” She squeezed her eyes shut. ”I was, more so than ever before. I was able to retain most of my human features and still access my full strength and a relatively clear mind... a vast improvement over most of the other shifts.” As she talked about it with him her stress slowly slipped away, maybe it was actually talking about it or the fact he hadn't gave off any signs of distress from her words.

Russ kissed the nap of her neck, ”That's great, Jos. Do you think you could do it again?” He asked as he encouraged her hips to return to their previous eager movements.