A growl rumbled in my chest. She was giving me permission to explore her in the most intimate way. Gratitude and honor surged through me. This wasn't only about physical pleasure; it was about trust and connection, things I sought from this woman above all else. What had I done or said to make the fates believe I was worthy of this gift?

I kissed along the crease of her thigh, then slowly spread her legs wider. I took a moment to admire her, to appreciate the sight of her laid bare before me. She was already wet. The fact that she was wet because ofme, because of what I was doing to her, filled me with pride and awe.

Leaning down, I kissed along each of her thighs, taking my time, savoring the softness of her skin, her heady scent. Shetrembled beneath my touch, her breath hitching with each kiss. I was determined to make this good for her, to show her how special she was to me already.

As I moved closer to the juncture between her thighs, the scent of her arousal filled my senses. My cock kicked forward, as eager as me. I wanted to bury myself in her, to lose myself in loving her forever. But I held back, taking my time, wanting to draw this out for as long as I could.

When I finally reached her core, I hesitated, looking up at her again. She watched me, her eyes dark and hooded. I leaned in, dragging my tongue across her opening, groaning at how amazing she tasted. She was warm and wet and sweet. Nectar from the fates themselves.

I explored her eagerly, discovering the places that made her react with gasps and moans. I wanted to know every bit of her, to remember her taste and scent. My goal was to give her pleasure unlike any she'd known before.

As I teased her sensitive spot with my tongue, I gently slipped a finger inside her. Her immediate moan made me smile, encouraging me to coax more sounds of bliss from her. She was tight and warm around my finger, the sensation almost overwhelming me. I alternated between sucking and stroking her with my tongue, gradually increasing the pace as her cries became more intense. I moved my finger, searching for that magic spot inside her that would send her over the edge.

Her hips rocked up against my hand and mouth. She was close, her body tensing and her breath coming in short, quick gasps. I wanted her to reach her peak solely from my touch.

I increased the intensity, targeting her most sensitive area. At the same time, I moved another finger in with the first, ensuring I hit that special spot with each slide. Her body tensed, on the brink of release.

Then she surrendered, climaxing with a cry, her body shaking, and her inner muscles squeezing my fingers. I continued my movements, intent on extending this for as long as I could.

When she finally came down, she sagged on the bed, her thighs splayed wide and fingers clenching the covers.

As I looked up at her, pride filled me. I had done this for her. I,Ostor, a male who possessed nothing distinctive or special, had made her feel good, had made her come.

Rosey had let me in, had exposed herself to me in the most vulnerable way. We were building something real here, something that could not be dismissed.

We weren't just two strangers pretending. We were two people with open hearts, two people who had a chance to find something meaningful in each other.

I moved up her body, kissing her belly and breasts, before dropping down beside her. I held her, my eyes smarting, though not with sadness.

Such joy filled me.

There were no words that could express the feelings roaring through my veins, so I said nothing. I wrapped my arms tighter around her and prayed to the fates and whoever would listen, begging them not to steal her away.

Chapter 13

Rosey

As I brushed my teeth, showered, and tugged a sundress over my head, stuffing my feet into my sandals, I kept grinning.

Ostor . . .

I didn’t know what to make of what had happened this morning, but I’d spent so much time analyzing what I had and hadn’t done with Jacob to do it all over again with my new sorta boyfriend. There was nothing wrong with letting this play out however life intended.

When I emerged from the bathroom, I found him sitting on the deck, a cup of coffee in his hand.

“Yum.” I swiped it from him and with a laugh, took a long drink. I gagged and coughed, smacking my chest, my eyes watering. “What . . .” I croaked, glaring down at it. “Whatisthis?”

“The coffee smelled weak, so I emptied many of the tiny containers into my cup along with the pale brown water. I strained the contents of the containers out when they kept catching on my tusks, but did I miss some of the grit?” He looked up at me with complete innocence.

“They’re called pods, the insides are called coffee grounds, and usually, one pod is enough per cup.”

“Not for me.” He fed me a tusky smile. “In case you haven’t seen, I’m strong. It takes a hearty drink to maintain my power.” He flexed his arm, making an impressive muscle I wanted to run my tongue across. Would he let me?

He totally would. And because I knew that for a fact, I didn’t do it. Coming from his magical tongue and fingers was one thing. Licking him in return was another bridge I wasn’t yet sure I wanted to cross. We barely knew each other.

How long did it take to decide if someone was “the one”? I’d heard others say they knew the instant they met the other person.

Was that what the dreamy feeling in my heart was trying to tell me?