Gwynriel

The Advantages of Proper Plumbing

His hands trail down her thighs as his lips leave pepper light kisses down her throat.

"Please" She sighs out and his hands tighten on her thighs, squeezing until it almost hurt. 

My head hurts as I rub the ache away. I hear a laugh come from in front of me and I freeze. 

"Reading and walking makes you clumsy Gwyn" Azriel is smiling at me and my embarrassment from walking into the doorframe is gone. I wish I could freeze that smile and keep it forever.  

"The Advantages of Proper Plumbing? I new you liked to read but I didn't know plumbing was this intriguing." He leans his arm on the doorway and I'm not sure why such a casual jester has me blushing as hard as it feels. His muscles are practically bulging out of his shirt and his chest is outlined in the perfect way. 

Stop drooling Gwyn

"Well, you know, plumping is, you know, important" I nod along and stumble out. 

I was going to walk down to the kitchen to grab a cup of water, why I didn't ask the house for one is beyond me at this point. I took my book, The Realities of Love, and shoved it in the first book I could find. Apparently it's a book about plumbing. 

His eyes become intense as he looks at me and it's hard to breath. I thought maybe a heated look like this would be too much but now I don't like how far apart we are. 

"Is that about plumbing Gwyn?" He looks absolutely wicked when he says my name and my breath hitches. 

It's too late when I notice his shadows creep behind me, I snap the book shut and Azriel's eyes turn darker, harsher. His eyes travel to my neck, "That's definitely not about plumbing" His nostrils flair and I think I'm about to lose control. 

I need some control right now, I am Gwyneth Berdara, I am a Valkyrie. I can do as I please. 

I take a breath, a big deep breath. 

I step closer to him, to the point I have to look up under his nose. 

"So?" I smile at the end and he's fighting to keep his hands to his side.

His hands.

I want to feel those scars again. I want to feel them touching me. 

I bring his hands to my waist, lightly running my fingers over his scars. I shiver at the touch and look back into his eyes. I can see conflict, I see need and wanting but I also see concern. 

I don't know what I want, I don't know how far I even want to take this. Was this a bad idea?

My heart kicks up another notch and not in a good way. I can feel the panic start to sink and I close my eyes. 

I am safe, this is Azriel, he's a good male. I am safe, this is Azriel, he's a good male. 

I take another breath and hold his hands on my waist. I squeeze my eyes harder. 

"Gwyn" He breaths out. His next move surprises me. 

A feather light kiss is placed on my forehead.

His lips don't move from that spot and I can feel myself start to calm down. He isn't like them, I can do this. I take another breath and find I don't want to leave his arms. I don't want to continue whatever that was we were just doing but I, I think I just want to smell him, and have him hold me. Just for a minute. 

I feel my shoulders loosen and I practically fall into him. I wrap my arms around his middle under his wings and by his hips. 

I can feel him freeze this time. Is this not okay?

I peek up at him and I can see another emotion on his face, it's almost like sadness and confusion. 

"Is this okay?" I startled him out of his trance and his face softens. I like that look. A not so guarded Az. 

Instead of replying he just pulls me closer and wraps his arms around me. His arms like steel bands of comfort around me and I don't think I've ever felt so relaxed. HIs wings follow suit and we're encased by his wings, I've never felt so safe before.

He takes a deep breath and rests his cheek on my head and we just hold each other, enjoying each other just for a comfort I didn't realize I wanted. 

The more I think on it the more I start to wonder about the look on his face. Was he confused because no one else simply wanted to have a hug? I'm sure he's had plenty of partners but have they all been there for a physical thing and not an emotional thing? 

My hearts breaks thinking that no one has been around to give him comfort like this and I hold on tighter. 

I don't know how I feel about being physical but I do know that nothing beats this, just being here, being held and holding him. It's like we are the only people around and that's all we need. 

I nuzzle my face into the space between his arm and shoulder/chest and I let go of a breath I didn't realize I was holding. 

"I like this" is all I manage to say.

"I like this" is all he managed to say. 

I start to pull back and I look into his eyes, I've never seen him so relaxed. 

"I wouldn't mind doing this again, if that's okay" I don't know where the words came from but now that they're out I feel like a fool. 

"That is if you want to or whatever" I can feel how hot my face is and I hope he doesn't notice. 

He grins at me and my heart stops. I've never seen him like this, all I want is to see him like this. 

"Whenever you'd like my Valkyrie."