Chasing Freedom

XX

This one is a deliberate double update. This chapter is sex. Some prelude into it, but sex for 60% of it all the same. If you don't want to read it, I posted two chapters in one so you can read the previous and skip this one. If not, enjoy!

Myles woke up hard; a common occurrence as of late. Normally he stepped under a cold shower, because taking care of the problem wasn't a long-term fix anyway.

Now, he had Mira draped over his chest, sound asleep with her head on his shoulder. Her hair fanned around her, covering parts of his chest. Her scent was all over him and all over the room, which only made things worse. Letting out a long breath, he dropped his head back on the pillow.

As she shifted closer to him, he fought to control himself. This was a line they hadn't crossed. He had to find a way to get distance between them, as quickly as possible. After the emotional turmoil she'd gone through yesterday, the timing couldn't be any worse. If she woke up and assumed he'd only come to her to take advantage of her vulnerability? He couldn't

"Mira," he said gently.

Nothing.

He tried again, setting his hand over the top of her head, and carding it through her soft locks. "Wake up, sweetheart. I need to go to the bathroom."

At that, she stirred some. Slowly, he watched her come to, eyes opening. She blinked in confusion. Her eyes tracked the room, before bleary eyes met his.

"Huh?"

"I need to get up," he repeated, even keeping voice even a struggle.

"Why?"

"Bathroom."

Her eyebrows knitted as she thought that over. "Oh," she said suddenly, voice suddenly a note higher. "Right."

Still, she didn't move.

"Sweetheart?"

"Yeah?"

"You're lying on me."

Her red-rimmed eyes went wide. "Oh. Right."

She was adorable, flustered as she was. Even after last night.

It wasn't helping his situation at all.

"I'll get up then."

She moved off of him. Right in the path where the knife and letter still would have been had he not had the forethought to move them last night.

As she did, she brushed up right against his erection, tenting his boxers. The contact made me hiss.

A sound she didn't miss.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm fine," he said through gritted teeth.

She stared at his face, as he tried to smooth his expression. The bed, where she now knelt. Repeated that. "Oh. Right."

"Mira, it happens. Let me up and we can forget this happened."

"Forget?" Her expression closed off so quickly his heart sank. "Why—because of what happened last night?"

"Mira, no. Don't even say that. That you trusted me to be there for you last night is something I'm honoured by."

That was understatement. Letting him see that side of her, she'd shown him a gift he'd never be able to repay.

Blankly, Mira stared at him. "Then why?"

"Because this wasn't part of it. Under any circumstances. I wouldn't never take advantage of your grief like that."