Bearing Witness

Chapter 8 - Stop Before You Start

Warning: MATURE CONTENT

Ananda bites her bottom lip, and grins at Khan mischievously. "I don't think you'll be needing these... Do you?"

She rucks up Khan's shirt and tugs on his pajama bottoms. He rolls onto his back, wiggles out of his pyjama bottoms and kicks them down to the end of the covers. Ananda drapes herself across Khan's chest, and rests her head over his heart. "Please hold me, Noonien." He pulls her close and circles his arms around her. She nestles beneath his chin and sighs.

Ananda allows her hand wander down Khan's torso until she feels the exposed skin of his thigh beneath the duvet. The sensation causes Khan to moan softly as Ananda brushes her fingers over the wispy hairs on his exposed flesh. He reaches for her hand and laces their fingers together, coaxing her to explore further. After a short time, she breaks away and props herself on an elbow. "Something wrong, Ananda?" Khan asks.

"No, not really. Just wondering..." She flops onto her pillow, and stares up at the ceiling.

"About what?" his reply.

"Everything, and nothing," she says, in almost a sing-song.
"Do you have apprehensions, Ananda?"
"Of course, I do Noonien. Who wouldn't?"

"What can I do to allay your fears? Please tell me..." he offers.

"There's no one thing. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. And yes, just a little afraid. Not terror, just nagging doubts." Ananda's voice is soft and earthy as she speaks. She reaches for Khan's hand and clasps it to her bosom. He moves to close the distance between them, propping himself on his elbows while hovering slightly above her.

"Tell me one thing that's on you mind. Don't think about it, just allow yourself to share with me." She stops staring at the ceiling and turns to look directly into his eyes. His sincerity flows through her, and she tries with all her might to relax. Ananda inhales deeply and exhales slowly as she smoothes the hair from his forehead, and nuzzles his nose.

"There's something on my mind, but I don't want to... I mean, um..." She speaks haltingly.
"Secrets, Ananda?" he chuckles.

"Can we please just get it over with?" she blurts.
"Over with?" The sparkle in Khan's eyes begins to dull, and his face clouds with disappointment. His expression morphs from playful curiosity to edgy and tense. The change in mood immediately causes Ananda to stiffen beneath him. Sensing the subtle change, Khan begins to pull away from Ananda physically and emotionally.

"Oh! Oh, NO! I didn't mean it like that... All I mean is that I need you to be very gentle with me, Noonien. That's all. If I explain why, you'll behave differently." Khan screws his eyes closed and turns his head in response.

"Are you still?..."
"Unfortunately, yes. I am," he huffs.
She reaches between them and attempts to stroke him through his nightshirt. He pulls her hand away, and pins her arm above her head by the wrist.

"I'm ready for you, too," she coos, as she lifts the front of her nightgown, rubbing herself against him. She begins slowly. Ananda grinds her hips into Khan, her undulations gradually picking up speed. Khan's soft steady breathing gives way to deep soulful moans.

Fully tumescent, Khan uses his free hand to pull up his nightshirt to rut himself against her, countering Ananda's rhythm. She closes her eyes and lolls her head back until she's sunken into her pillow. Feeling relaxed and in sync with Khan, she reaches for him and lines him up at her core. He grabs her hips, takes a breath, and sinks down into her slowly. Ananda grimaces, and clamps her arms around Khan as he takes her. Once fully seated, he stops to adjust to the closeness and warmth of being inside her. Beyond the physical sensations, a swirl of intense emotion also overtake them both.