Malefactor [H.S.]

79

tw: brief mention of SA (towards middle-end of chapter)

Strong arms wrapped around my waist and a warm torso pressed to my back have quickly become one of my favorite ways to wake up—particularly when it's accompanied by a set of soft lips peppering a million tiny, equally soft kisses across the expanse of my neck. That's how I wake up this morning, Harry's lips ever so delicately worshiping my skin and humming into my hair.

Basking in the feeling, I decide to keep my consciousness a secret for a bit longer. Maintaining a steady breathing pattern, however, proves to be a difficult task when he starts stroking my stomach in the same comforting motions. My oversized shirt bunches up to expose my lower half. It feels like I'm stuck in a dream, the warmth of his body and the blankets encapsulating me in an embrace that I never want to escape and offering me sanctuary from the freezing temperature of the air conditioning.

When he mumbles into my ear, "My pretty Cam, baby," so low that I wonder if it's nothing more than an auditory hallucination that's the result of my barely-conscious state, though, I know I can't keep up my sleeping charade any longer.

My lips spread into a close-mouthed smile as I audibly sigh, turning my body just enough so my shoulder hits his and our noses touch. Harry says nothing as his head tilts to kiss the tip of my nose, and the spot between my nose and top lip, and then my top lip itself. My eyes narrow in on his and my own part in anticipation of him kissing me entirely next. Instead, he shoots me a lazy smile and drops his head to the pillow, stroking his hand against my stomach once more.

"How long have you been awake?" he asks, the raspiness of his voice letting me know that he likely only beat me to the brink of consciousness by a matter of minutes.

"Not long." My eyes flutter shut as he slowly but purposefully kisses my neck, taking his time sucking on every inch of skin and drawing patterns with the tip of his tongue. He's sure to pull away from each spot just before any semi-permanent markings form, ripping shudders through my body at the simultaneous act of intense pleasure while also depriving me of it. "You?"

"Not long," he cites my words back to me. His lips barely leave my neck, doing so just enough to form coherent sounds. The vibrations tickle my skin. A smile appears on my face.

Laying here, I revel in the feeling of Harry evoking nothing but pure pleasure in my body and mind. One of his hands trails up my mostly exposed torso, cupping my bare breast and gently squeezing, but nothing about the act is crude. My shirt bunches up at the collar as he continues to knead my chest, kissing down my shoulder and brushing my shirt even more to the side so he can have better access to me. In one swift motion, I pull it over my head and toss it to the floor without ever having to sit upright.

Chuckling in my ear, his long fingers spread across my stomach and curl into my side. He just barely begins to rock my hips against his, emulating a warmth deep in my stomach, as he mumbles, "Yeah?"

"Mm, no," I respond, twisting my head back to smile at him. His movements immediately halt. This isn't an invitation for us to become carried away like I know we have a habit of doing and will definitely happen to some degree if I don't stand my ground now. It's simply easier for us both to enjoy these early-morning acts of care when my shirt isn't in the way.

His hand retracts from my chest upon my denial, cupping my chin. "Whatever you want, baby."

I'm not sure if I'm the one who initiates it or if he helps turn me sideways, but the next thing I know, I'm rolled over onto my other side as the two of us gently make out. With my solid no hanging in the air and our shared barely-awake state, it remains the epitome of innocence—at least for us. Nothing progresses beyond some heavy panting and shared noises that become indistinguishable which sound is whose. His hand rests on my ass, squeezing it every now and then, while I drag my nails up and down his back, smiling against his lips at the way he sighs in satisfaction into my mouth at the relaxing scratching sensation.