Page 84 of A Soul to Keep

“No.” Reia wrapped her arms around his neck to hug him and incidentally lifted herself further into his open maw. She felt his teeth digging in when his jaw started to squeeze the sides of her neck. “Plus, if you do, it’ll probably stop the pain.”

The pressure stopped getting tighter, like he’d halted.

“You are in pain?”

“A little. My stomach hurts.”

It was always there, always throbbing and nagging at her.

“Why does it hurt?”

“I don’t know, it just does. Most women feel this way during this time.”

His fangs eased, but he didn’t release her. She wondered if it was her hugging him or their conversation that was distracting him.

“Is there any way I can help your suffering?”

A small smile curled her lips, and she was unable to stop the swirl of emotions rising in her chest. Even when crazed, he still wanted to make her comfortable.

“I thought you were going to eat me.” She brought one of her hands up to cup the back of his skull, stroking downwards from between his spiralling horns to the nape of his neck where long fur grew. “Why are you hesitating?”

“Because I do not want to.”

“Is this helping?” she asked as she continued to stroke him.

“Yes.” He started to pull his head away, and Reia gave him just enough space so he could shut his jaw before she slid her arms back around his shoulders. “Being close to you is making it easier.”

“Wouldn’t that make it harder, Orpheus?”

“Yes. I can smell your blood, but your touch is keeping the hunger at bay.” Then he lowered himself, slipping his arms underneath her so that he could hold her. “My will to not harm you, Reia, is strong.”

His voice is going back to normal,she thought, her smile growing brighter.

“Do you want to lie with me?”

“I do not think that is wise. I don’t know how long I can keep my control in your presence right now.”

“Please?” She drew him in tighter. “You’re really warm and it’s making my pain go away.”

His hand was on her lower back, and the heat of it was easing the aching of her cramps to the point she could barely feel them. The momentary relief was worth the risk.

“I would like to stay with you,” he said, nuzzling the underside of her jaw. She turned her head up so he could do it freely. “But I will have to leave if I feel I may not be able to control myself. Thank you for calming me.”

I’m surprised it worked.

Reia tangled her hands in his fur and tugged him to his side on the bed next to her. She turned to him, facing his chest as his head rested above hers on the pillow they now shared.

“You said me touching you was helping. Do you want me to keep doing so?”

“Yes,” he answered, before a shudder rippled through him. “I would like that more than anything.”

“Okay, I will. On one condition, though. Could you please keep your hand on my back?”

Moving her hands between them, she started undoing the buttons of his shirt.

His hand moved to clutch both of hers.

“What are you doing?”

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