Chapter 257 - The Importance of Aftercare (1/2)
Arei waited patiently, still working his tongue lightly against her c.l.i.t enjoying every sound and shiver she made as she rode out her o.r.g.a.s.m. He kept his fingers pressed against her g-spot, applying just the right amount of pressure until her shuddering finally subsided. He slid them out from her body and stuck them into his mouth s.u.c.k.i.n.g her juices from his fingers before climbing over her and capturing her lips for a deep, passionate kiss.
Jos tangled her arms around his neck and her legs around his as best as she could, holding him tightly against her as she kissed him hungrily back. The taste of herself on his lips only made her want more... need more. ”Arei...” She murmured against his lips.
He used her grip on him to help him lift and pull her up to the head of the bed, then placed another lingering kiss to her lips before he pulled away and set back on his legs. He turned and retrieved the glass of wine, taking a long drink before turning and offering her a drink. ”Thirsty?” He asked as he extended the glass.
She nodded, curiosity replacing hunger in her eyes. ”Thank you.” She whispered as he handed her the other glass.
”Go ahead and finish it. It should help you sleep better. I know you've been tossing and turning a lot lately.” He said as he set his glass back on the tray and began climbing off the bed.
Jos's eyes widened in shock. ”Wait... what... what are you doing?” She asked.
He arched a brow. ”Putting this stuff back on the window seat so we can lay down. Is there anything else you need? If you'd like more wine, I can leave the bottle on the nightstand.”
She shook her head as overwhelming sadness hit her. {After all that, does he really mean to just... go to sleep?!} Her eyes trailed over his body as he stood and gathered the tray. He was still aroused. {Maybe he is just moving it out of the way???} She tried to reason as she followed him around the room with her eyes.
He placed the tray on the window seat, locked the door, and placed his glass of wine along with the remaining bottle on his nightstand. He pulled the sheets down and waited until she crawled under them before getting in himself. He turned and clicked the light off before turning to her and pulling her into his arms. ”Now, how about that conversation?” He asked placing a kiss to her forehead.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She searched his face but saw no sign of joking. ”After that we... I...” She shook her head as she lifted from his arms and moved over to her own pillow. ”I... I'm suddenly sleepy... if you don't mind... I'm... going go... sleep...” She struggled through her words as hurt, confusion, and frustration battled one another. She could see the slight frown settle over his expression in the darkness of the room. Not wanting him to read the pain that must now be radiating from her own eyes, she turned away from him and laid on her side.
Arei scrunched his brows together as he lifted his head from the pillow and studied her back. ”Oh... alright...” He'd looked forward to talking with her more. He rolled over on his side toward her and began running his hands over her back and arm soothingly, hoping it would help her to relax and sleep. To his utter surprise, he could feel a slight tremble in her arm shortly after he'd began rubbing. {Is she...crying?!} His eyes widened in alarm. ”Jos?” He pushed himself up onto his elbow and bent closer to her, giving her shoulder a gentle yet firm tug bringing her flat onto her back. Sure enough, he could see the glistening trail of the silent tears that streamed down her face. ”What's wrong, kitten?” She wouldn't meet his gaze, instead, she turned her face away from him. A deep frown settled over his features as he first slid his hand along the farthest cheek, then carefully turned her face to meet his. He used the pad of his thumb to brush the tears away from the closest eye. ”Talk to me, kitten. What is wrong? Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you? Was it the beard?” His cheeks reddened as he glanced away. ”I'm sorry if it wasn't good... I'm out of practice... I'm sorry... but you seemed like you were enjoying it...”
She shook her head her bottom lip quivering slightly as she forced a response. ”No... it wasn't any of that...” She turned away from him again. ”Forget it...”
Arei pushed himself up into a sitting position and began massaging her shoulder. ”I may be out of practice, but I do recall any time a woman says forget it... you do the opposite. Now, please, tell me what's bothering you.” He gently rolled her onto her back once again. Holding her tear-filled eyes with his own worried ones, he whispered pleadingly. ”We promised honesty to one another.”
Her lower lip trembled as she struggled to answer. ”I thought you were... we were going... Gahhh... I'm stupid.” She tossed back over on her side clutching her pillow against her c.h.e.s.t. ”I can't do this with you... I can't do the teasing and the will we won't we... I get it you're giving me what I want... just enough of what I want to keep me hanging on...” She glared at him over her shoulder. ”I can't...” She shoved the pillow away and in one quick movement was pushing herself up from the bed and walking around it, in search of clothing.
Arei furrowed his brows, trying to decipher her broken words. He watched as she yanked a dress from her luggage and slammed it shut, struggling against the zipper. She hadn't once zipped it back since they'd been there. She popped the handle out loudly as she stood and began stomping toward the door, dress still in hand. ”What...” {I can't...} The words reverberated in his brain, her meaning finally taking form. {She can't what, be with ME!?! She's leaving, right now...} His feet were on the floor and in motion before the thoughts had even fully worked their selves out. He caught her hand and gingerly pried the handle of the luggage from her tight grip as the other hand flew around her waist. The second the luggage thumped against the floor he scooped her up and pressed his mouth to hers swallowing any protest she had. He took the final steps forward until her body was pressed between the door and his body, as he tried to pour all of his feelings out into one passionate kiss. The beeping of her watch echoed deafeningly in the quiet room. When he finally eased his assault on her lips, he pulled back only enough to search her eyes his own reflecting his intense anxiety. ”Please, don't leave me. I'll do whatever you want, however you want it. I love you...”
Jos panted in his arms, wrapping hers around his neck. She let her head rest against the cool wood of the door as she struggled to regain control of her breathing and the rapid beat of her heart. The pleading tone of his voice and turbulent emotion radiating outward from his eyes, made her feel horrible for her own reactions and rash decisions. ”I'm sorry...” She whispered in a low timid voice.
He quickly shook his head. ”No, I'm the one sorry. Please, just tell me...” He searched her eyes for the unspoken needs there. ”I'd love to give you what you want right here against the door, but to be honest the thought of you walking out on me again has me softer than a jelly donut.” He raised one hand to stroke over her cheek as he lowered his lips back to hers. ”I love you.” He whispered against them. ”Watching you head for that door was my worst nightmares actualized.” His voice cracked and his eyes were moist when they finally met hers.
Her wide eyes held his. It was so strange seeing such a large man as emotional as he was right now while he begged her to stay. Was she being ins.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e insisting they have s.e.x while he was obviously not ready? She cupped his face in her hands as she continued to search his eyes. ”I love you, too... I'm sorry, I had it in my head somehow that it wouldn't be real... that us being together wouldn't be official until we...” She swallowed hard as she shook her head. ”I wouldn't leave you... I only thought it best to be in a different room... at least for the night...”
He shook his head. ”What we have is real. It is just as real now as it will be in three hundred years from now. We have an endless lifetime together. There's no rush, no reason why we can't enjoy each other.” He frowned as he held her tighter not wanting to let her go. ”Do you still feel the same? Do you still want to sleep separately? I can sleep on the window seat if you want... It's safer if you stay in here though.”