Under the Water(Fem. Percy)

Chapter 36 *M*

For a moment or two, Cyreus stares at me, and I worry I wasn't supposed to say that. Didn't he say that he prefers it when he doesn't get what he wants right away? That it makes it more fun? Was I supposed to tease him first? Or maybe--?

My hands shake as I grab the hem of my shirt. He's seen you naked before, I scold myself, even had you spread out in front of him. The only difference is that he's going...he's going to...

He pulls them away. His warm mouth slots over mine in a brief kiss that leaves my lips tingling. "I'm supposed to be the one taking your clothes off," he whispers against my ear. The low, husky tone he uses when quoting books layers over every word; I shiver, and I feel him smile against my skin.

"Now, how do I want to undress you?" he says. "I think it should be slowly, so slowly you're going to be whining and begging for me to take off more. I'll start by stripping you out of your shirt, and as it floats to the floor, I think I'll kiss you. Not here." He grazes my bottom lip. "But maybe here?" His fingers brush the space right above my waistband. The sensation sends a jolt through my entire body.

"Tease." I gasp.

Smirking, he grabs my hips. "Or I could slide these pants down your legs and take you up against the wall." The light in his eyes is blazing.

I stutter out gibberish, as my face flares with heat.

"Mhm," he says, not paying attention. He scans my body up and down, before pushing against me.

His lips taste like bubblefruit and kelp. The combination is surprisingly nice. Our kisses are hard and fast, mouths moving desperately, his tongue gliding into my mouth. There's no promise that we're actually going to have time to do this. And there's no promise that this will ever happen again. His fingers tangle into my hair, and I can feel the heat from his body as he presses me against the stones. Reluctantly, he pulls away and slides his hands under my shirt. Cool fingertips draw patterns over my ribs.

"You're pretty," he says.

"Where's that silver tongue of yours?"

His nose presses against my jaw. "Do you really like the sound of my voice that much?" He nibbles at my neck, and I can't stop myself from gripping his toned arms. "Or do you want my tongue somewhere it shouldn't be?"

"Yes."

In a swift motion, my shirt's over my head. I watch it float to the floor, billowing and flowing. Cyreus inhales sharply and drops in front of me; he kisses my waistband, before his hot, warm mouth moves over my stomach. My teeth grind into my lip. I taste blood.

Higher and higher he rises. His fingers deftly unhook my bra. "Much better," he mumbles. A blush spreads down my chest, but I don't move to cover my breasts, keeping my hands still by my side. Softly, he kisses my stomach. "Are you okay with this?" Golden-green eyes lift to mine with worry. "You aren't doing much."

"Can you just...tell me what to do?" It's embarrassing to ask. I should know, shouldn't I? It's just moving arms and legs and---Drew really didn't do a good job explaining this. Not to mention I always tried to tune her out.

Cyreus straightens. He pulls off his shirt, revealing his toned, lean chest. I don't have a chance to admire it, because he cradles me against his body. "Touch me," he says, cheeks flushed. "No--Don't look at me. Don't worry about what I'm doing. Just touch me."

My hands roam his body, hesitant but still emboldened by the permission. They slide up his arms, down his back, over his sides. Sometimes my nails graze the delicate skin. Our hearts beat in tandem, but he pants out curses and praise while rolling his hips against mine in a gentle, unrushed tempo. My lips part with a gasp; I press a soft kiss to his collarbone. Then I slide one hand down between us. He shifts and moves under my touch, and a small part of me thinks it's on purpose. The rest purrs in satisfaction.