Page 64 of Cursed
She exits the bathroom and stands there, frozen. Her anxiety washes over him, so Ryland walks over to her and takes her hand. He leads her back to the armchair and eases her into his lap.
Nori is on the verge of tears, which is driving him crazy. “Nori, I cannot read your thoughts, but what you may not know is, now that I’ve Claimed you, I can feel your emotions.”
He takes a shaky breath and says, “I am begging you, please. Tell me what has happened from the kitchen to the bedroom.”
She covers her face, trying to contain her sobs. Breathing deeply to calm herself, she says, “The sex, Ryland, was truly amazing, and I am aware you can now sense my emotions.”
Nori lets out a quiet laugh. “You have no idea what you have gotten yourself into.” She runs her hands through her hair. “I probably should have said ‘no’ to the Claiming and spared you the emotional roller coaster that you are about to experience with me.”
Ryland’s heart plummets, thinking she regrets the Claiming. “Nori…” He doesn’t know how to finish the sentence.
Realizing her poor choice of words, she cups his face, avoiding the scar. “Make no mistake, Ryland. I do not regret letting you Claim me. I love that you Claimed me. I’m sorryfor you at the same time. Because I’m so, well, damaged, I guess is the best word for it.”
Ryland’s heart soars at her use of the word ‘love’. She’s right; he’s already on the roller coaster with her, and he fucking loves it.
“Who isn’t damaged in some way or another? And I love roller coasters, Nori.” He runs his fingers through her hair. “In case you hadn’t noticed, I am pretty emotionally damaged myself.” He sighs. “Now, quit stalling.”
“Shit. I know I’m fucking stalling because I don’t want to have to have this conversation with you.” She covers her face again. “Sorry.”
Nori turns to look at him, frowning slightly. “I need...OK...” She pauses, wringing her hands. “When you moved my hand up over my head, I had a millisecond of panic. Once I understood that I needed to hold the top of the fridge for the very spectacular sex, I was fine.” She smiles briefly.
Nori lowers her head and quietly says, “What I need from you is a promise to never bind or hold my hands together over my head. I will be hysterical if you do.”
Ryland, feeling her panic, gently tilts her chin back up to look at him. “Why, Nori?”
Nori purses her lips. “I am never going to tell you why. Aylin doesn’t even know because I blocked her out completely. To spare her.” She puffs out a breath andcontinues, “That particular memory is in a box, nailed shut with chains all over it, never ever to be opened. You understand?”
Every muscle in Ryland’s body is taut, trying to hold back his rage at the person who hurt Nori so badly that she will not consider discussing it. “Yes, Nori. I understand. I will remember your rule, and I promise never to hold or bind your hands above your head. Are there any other rules I need to be mindful of?”
She sighs in relief, relaxing against him. “No, that’s it. I’m sorry I put a downer on what was really the most phenomenal experience.”
She smiles up at him and kisses his chin. “I liked the way you picked me up and shoved me against the fridge, and I thought I was going to combust when you Claimed me.” She grabs his shirt and whispers, “It was extraordinary, Ryland.”
Ryland holds her tightly, placing a kiss on her forehead. “I always want you to tell me what you need, Nori. You should not feel embarrassed.”
She sighs and runs her fingers along his strong jaw and his firm, but soft lips. She wants to feel him completely naked against her skin; is that a need?
Nori’s desire floats all around him and through him, now that he can sense her emotions. He’s startled when she leans up and kisses the top of his forehead just under the scar, then the right side of his nose.
He sucks in a breath when she pulls his bottom lip into her mouth, tasting it with her tongue.
“Mmmm, Nori,” Ryland growls, placing a finger under her chin and gently kissing her lips.
Nori shifts in his lap and leans back to look at him, her hands on his shoulders. “I don’t think it’s an actual need, Ryland, but I have a want.”
Ryland’s face breaks into a half grin. “And what do you want, Nori?”
“I think what I want might make you uncomfortable, and you can totally say no.”
Nori’s desperate to get him out of his clothes, so she doesn’t play fair. She leans forward to kiss him along his jaw. With her lips grazing his skin, she says, “I could use a shower, and I thought that maybe, we could take this kissing into the shower...together.”
Ryland hangs his head and exhales through clenched teeth. “That definitely makes me uncomfortable, Nori.”
She places more kisses down his neck. “I want to feel your body against mine, Ryland, your skin on my skin,” she says, kissing him up his neck again. “But I don’t ever want to make you uncomfortable.” She smiles against his skin. “I can shower after.”
Panting heavily from her mouth on his neck and her desire rolling through him, Ryland picks her up and carries her to the bathroom.
Nori, feeling fearless, immediately strips her clothes off and moves to help him undress. He grabs her wrists, sucking in a breath nervously, staring at her hands.
