House of Blood and Beasts

43. To Love and Please

"I am not sappy," Ruhn protested, twisting on top of Sarai. She fisted her hand in his shirt, not answering as she traced his jaw with her lips. Her new ring glittered brightly. One of her knees rose to his hip and he slid a hand along her thigh. She was conveniently only wearing shorts today.

"Yes you are." Sarai's lips met the shell of his ear. She gave a short tug and Ruhn bared his neck for her. She pressed soft open-mouthed kisses down the length of it. "You're a sappy, perverted alphahole."

"I'm not an alphahole either," Ruhn chuckled. "I've specifically done my best not to be one, just like you asked."

"It's all right." She worked towards the underside of his jaw, her tongue following the curve of his neck the whole way. "Sometimes I like it."

Ruhn gave another low laugh and lifted her hair over her shoulder. He dropped feathery kisses on her neck. Sarai gave a breathless sigh, tangling her fingers in his hair. "I love you," Ruhn whispered. Sarai's cheeks flushed pink and her heartbeat quickened. "You like hearing me say that, don't you?"

"It's been a rarity for me. I like hearing anyone say it, but you especially."

"I'll say it as many times as you want to hear it."

Sarai kissed his temple and wrapped her legs around his waist. Ruhn eased her back onto the bed, already grinding against her. She made a small sound and heat fluttered through his stomach. Ruhn kissed her throat and down to her collarbone. He reached the buttons on her shirt and set to work. Ruhn unfastened each one, kissing the copper skin that was bared beneath it as he went.

Sarai's head strained back as she rolled her hips against his. Her scent was already thick with arousal. A smoldering ache welled up within Ruhn, but he didn't touch his own clothes. Not yet. There was something different about this. Instincts curled in his gut, and he knew he had to listen to them. He loved Sarai, and she deserved to know what that felt like.

Ruhn pulled her shirt and undergarment off, tossing them over the side of the bed. He kissed his way onto her stomach, already unfastening her shorts. Ruhn slipped them off and her underwear soon followed. His mouth drifted onto her sleek thigh as he guided her legs over his shoulders. Sarai reburied her hand in his hair. Ruhn dragged his tongue across the slick space between her legs. Sarai moaned, tightening her legs around him.

Ruhn kissed her this time, sucking lightly when he drew back. He angled his lip ring right where he knew she wanted it. Sarai cried out and warmth washed through Ruhn. He held her by the hips as he fell into a steady rhythm, licking and kissing with enough pressure to coax needful sounds from his love. Each of Sarai's breathless whimpers sent lightning through his veins.

"Ruhn," she moaned, arching her back.

He brought his thumb up, rubbing taut circles where he was already swirling his tongue. Sarai moaned again, her chest heaving with ragged breaths. Ruhn slid his thumb in, still working in slow circles. Sarai's breaths came faster and she rocked her hips in silent demand. Ruhn braced an arm over them, holding her steady.

"Ruhn," Sarai pleaded. "Ruhn!" She clawed at his shirt and he didn't resist. He lifted his head only for a moment, and when his shirt was gone, went back down again. Sarai dug her nails into his shoulder blades with a loud groan. He kept going even as he unlaced his pants. "More, please," she rasped. "More."

Ruhn shifted on top of her, licking his lips before capturing hers in a kiss. "I love you," he murmured. Sarai kissed the corner of his mouth with a faint grunt. He spread her legs wider and kissed her as he eased in. Sarai moaned softly and Ruhn echoed the sound. "Gods, Sarai," he breathed.