"May I touch them?"
He nodded slowly and watched as I warily reached out and stoked my fingers across his feathers. They were a silky layer covering muscle. Zeke began shivering as I reached where wing met skin.
"Kira..."
I heard a slight begging tremor in his voice. I stopped touching his wings and moved to face him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him fold them in. I placed my hand on his cheek and his eyes fluttered shut. I pushed up on my tiptoes and placed my lips on his. His arms wrapped around my waist, holding me close. He gasped into my mouth as he pulled his wings back in. I pulled away and turned him around. It was my turn to gasp when I saw the rivulets of blood flowing down his back.
"Zeke..."
I dashed to the bathroom and grabbed a towel and soaked it with warm water. I went back to him.
"Sit."
He sat on the floor as I began to gingerly wipe the blood from his skin. Once I has finished, I let the towel soak in the sink. As soon as I stepped back into the bedroom, Zeke picked me up and started kissing me again. My legs wrapped around his waist as he slowly backed up and landed us on the bed. He had a firm grip on my waist as he nibbled my neck and kissed my jaw. His pattern began to glow as the fire roared brighter and hotter than ever. He pulled away gasping.
"Kira. We need to stop or I'm gonna end up burning down the house. I have good control, but not that good."
I laughed but didn't move. I buried my ace in the crook of his neck.
"Alright. You started it though."
He chuckled.
"Says who?"
"Says me. Hey, are there any pajamas in here?"
"Yeah but go ahead and use my shirt. Easier and comfier."
I slid off the bed and grabbed his shirt.
"You do realize you aren't getting this back, right?" I said as I slid mine off and his on.
"Probably. And are you really changing in front of me?"
I slid my jeans off and started uncoupling my bra.
"Yes. I just did. You saw nothing so it's okay."
I hopped back into bed and snuggled into him. I yawned and closed my eyes.
"Zeke?"
"Mmm?"
"Stay with me?"
I felt his breath hitch at my double meaning.
"Always," he whispered.
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When I woke up, the fire was out and I was stretched across Zeke. My leg was slung over his waist, my arm around his bare torso and my face pressed against the side of his neck. From the steady rise and fall of his chest, I knew he was still sleeping. His large hand was resting on my thigh and his other arm kept me close. A wicked grin crept across my lips as I thought of a way to wake him up. I tilted my head slightly and began to kiss his neck. He moaned gently and shifted so he was underneath me. I stopped kissing him to see if he was awake yet. The light flutter of his fingers against my leg told me almost. I went back to my mission, this time nibbling. He woke up with a groan and his hands slid to squeeze my rear end. In a quick move, I was now beneath him.
"I'll have to sleep with you from now on," he murmured. He sucked gently on my neck.
"Mmm. Why is that?"
"If this is how my mornings will start..."
A sudden knocking came from my door followed by Isaac's voice.
"Kira? You better wake up and come down before Zeke does. He wouldn't be too happy about that."
Zeke contentedly returned to my neck.
"I'll be right down," I managed to gasp out.
"Are you alright, Kira? You don't sound too good."
He slipped down a bit farther and began kissing my chest, causing my back to arch.
"Never better," I groaned. "I'll be down."
"Alright."
His footsteps faded away as Zeke slipped his hands up the hem of his shirt that had now ridden up my thighs.
"You better get dressed, Kira. You don't want to upset me, do you?"
I giggled and pushed him off.
"Of course not."
His smile dropped as he became serious.
"You understand we can't act the same way around each other with Isaac around, right?"
I nodded mutely. He stood and crossed the short distance to the door and looked back to me.
"I'll see you in a few."
With that, he left. Leaving me infuriated and raw. Just a few minutes later, I found myself walking into the brightly lit kitchen with Isaac, Dane and Liam sitting at the table eating. Isaac glanced up and saw me.
"Morning, Kira. Sleep well?"
Visions of the night before played in my mind.
"Very. And you?"
"Same, thanks for asking. I would like to talk to you. After breakfast would you care to join me for a walk?"
I shrugged.
"Sure. Sounds like fun."
I had just started getting some food when Zeke walked in.
"Liam, Dane, I'm going on a run. Liam you watch her today. Don't touch her or Mark her. It's my turn."
Without so much as a glance in my direction, he left. I looked down at my untouched plate and left the house. Isaac followed not long after.
"Kira! Wait! Let's go on that walk and you can explain what's going on with you and Zeke."
I stopped and whirled to face him.
"Nothing is going on between Zeke and I. I'm only a part of whatever 'plan' they have."
"Really? Then why didn't he leave your room last night?"
My body tensed and I glared at him.
"He did leave. Maybe it was at a point you weren't watching me!"
I turned back around and began walking towards the beach.
"I was only making sure you were safe. That's my job."
"I don't care what your job is. You were invading my privacy! That's so messed up."
His Mark began to glow and he gently clasped my elbow. I yanked away from him.
"There. Now I'll know where you are no matter what."
"What?! What the hell did you do?"
"I gave you a special mark so I know where you are."
I growled in frustration and stalked towards the end of trees. I slipped of the sheer face and heard a snap when I landed.
