Page 20 of Songbird
I thought there was a chance we might end up in bed last night. After Izzy’s performance, we enjoyed a late supper in her room. However, exhaustion overtook her, and she fell asleep beside me on the sofa, her head gently resting against my shoulder before we got no further than a few delicious kisses. I’d carried her to the bed, tucking her beneath the covers and left her to rest.
Tonight, however, Izzy would sing only one set and be here within the hour. I felt a thrill of anticipation course through me, like a virgin visiting a Ntavian pleasurer. My tail swished energetically, reminding me of a pissed-off serpent.
We both understood what needed to occur to make the deception believable. Sex. It wasn’t the first time I’d engaged in such acts under a looming deadline. In my line of work as a spy, it was a frequent necessity. But never before did I recall feelingthis level of anticipation or desiring any female as intensely as I wanted Izzy.
My mate.
The words echoed in my mind like a whisper carried by the wind. I pushed the thoughts away, not yet prepared to confront the weight of what accepting them would truly entail. After the conciliator... once she was finally free from Kayzon’s grasp, I planned to reveal the depths of my feelings. Unless my senses had utterly deceived me, I believed I would discover that her heart echoed the same sentiments.
I made another pass through my apartment, ensuring everything was perfect for the evening ahead. Her quarters were on the same level as the other restaurant workers, offering little privacy—I planned to have her screaming with passion all night—so we were meeting in my abode. I had the room meticulously cleaned until it gleamed, with every surface polished to a shine. Freshly laundered sheets, soft to the touch and infused with a delicate floral scent, covered the bed. Vibrant flowers and lit candles adorned every available surface, blossoms unfurling in a riot of colors that glowed against the flickering flames. On the dining table, a spread of her favorite dishes fromSpace Pearlsawaited, each plate artfully arranged to tempt and delight.
I’d chosen a dark blue tunic and comfortable drawstring pants, attire that was effortless to discard when necessary. Despite the loose fit and casual drape, it wouldn’t take Izzy long to discover that the paunchy playboy I pretended to be was only a disguise. Instead, my toned and muscular physique lay hidden beneath the soft layers, a secret waiting to be revealed. I smiled to myself, imagining her reaction, hoping she would be pleased.
The door chime rang, and I jumped, chuckling to myself over my own excitement.
Izzy stood on the other side of the door, her posture a whisper of tension, and I could tell she was nervous. She hadtraded her stage gown for a simple, light pink dress that flowed softly around her frame. Her hair cascaded in golden waves, framing her face and draping over her shoulders like a sunlit waterfall. The air held the faintest hint of a floral embellishment that wove seamlessly into her delicious scent, reminiscent of a blooming garden kissed by the early morning dew.
“Hi.” Her smile was genuine, a soft curve of her lips that suggested a touch of shyness, and her eyes sparkled with warmth.
“You look absolutely beautiful,” I murmured, extending my hand towards her with a gentle smile. Izzy placed her delicate hand in mine without a moment’s hesitation, her fingers warm and soft. I pulled her closer, the subtle scent of her floral perfume enveloping me, and I let my lips lightly graze her rosy cheek. Her blush deepened, spreading like a sunrise across her skin. I adored the way her cheeks flushed with color, such a vivid reflection of her emotions.
Izzy stepped inside the apartment, her eyes widening as she absorbed the vibrant array of flowers and candles, plus the tantalizing spread of food before her.
“Are you hungry?” I gestured toward the dining room. I felt so excited that the thought of eating seemed impossible. Yet, I found myself willing to follow her lead—I would willingly follow her lead in anything.
“Not really. Maybe a snack later.” Izzy glided into the room with an effortless grace, her movements smooth and fluid as she made her way to the plush sofa. She lowered herself onto the soft cushions, settling in with a sense of ease.
“Later?” I teased, following and sitting on the cushions beside her, so close our thighs rubbed together in an intimate touch.
The rosiness of her blush increased. “I mean, we might be hungry later. I know what we... I mean, the conciliator willbe here in a couple of days, and we have to... you know?” She tripped over her words, her cheeks darkening with a rosy hue. Her lips trembled slightly as she tried to regain her composure, giving off an endearing sense of awkwardness.
With a smile playing on my lips, I gently wrapped my arm around her delicate waist, drawing her closer. As I lowered my head, I let my nose tenderly nuzzle along the silken skin of her cheek and neck, savoring the warmth and subtle scent that was uniquely hers. Izzy breathed a contented sigh, her eyelids fluttering shut as she melted into my embrace, her hands coming to rest on my chest, just above where my heart thudded. I hooked a finger beneath her chin, lifting her face to mine so I could press my lips to hers. Her taste was a delightful blend of sweetness and spicy passion, and her tongue responded eagerly, dancing in harmony with mine.
My fingertips caressed her soft skin, tracing a delicate path along her cheek and down her jawline, gently gliding over her throat and collarbone, reveling in the silky texture beneath my touch. With a tender hesitance, as though seeking silent permission, my fingertips brushed over the gentle curve of her breast, savoring the intimate connection.
Even though Izzy didn’t pull away, there was a slight jerk, a subtle tension in her body language that betrayed her discomfort. I gently withdrew my hand, letting it rest softly atop her shoulder while continuing to kiss her deeply. Although her response to my kisses and touch held passion, there was an underlying skittishness, almost as if....
I gently pulled my lips from hers, my breath mingling with the warmth of her skin as I continued to nuzzle her neck. “Izzy, my sweet, are you untouched?” I asked softly, my words brushing against her ear like a whispering breeze.
“Untouched?” She stiffened and pulled back slightly to meet my gaze. Her expression was pure bewilderment, her brows furrowed, and tiny nose scrunched.
“Have you ever had sex?” I clarified, trying to keep from smiling at her pure adorableness.
“Oh.” Her eyes widened, and her cheeks grew so red that if she burst into flame, I wouldn’t have been that surprised. “Yes... sure... I mean, sort of.”
“Sort of?” All I knew of human sexual practice came from my recent studies into the subject, and thissort ofhaving sex intrigued me.
Although her cheeks didn’t deepen in hue, her hands slipped from where they had gently rested on my chest to settle in her lap, fingers winding together which signaled her awkwardness. “Only twice,” she admitted her inexperience, and laughed softly. “And the first time, I’m not even sure we did it right. We were both sixteen, and neither of us knew what the hell we were doing. We didn’t even take our clothes off."
I felt flash of sympathy for the unknown young male. “And the second time?”
The embarrassment that had initially painted her features gave way to a look of regret, her brows furrowing slightly. A hint of anger flashed across her eyes, momentarily igniting them with intensity before her expression settled into a more somber, pensive demeanor. The arm I held around her waist tightened, drawing her even closer, knowing instinctively that whatever came next, she needed comfort.
“If you do not wish to tell me....”
“No.” Izzy shook her head furiously, the ends of her hair slapping against my skin like the touch of a feather. “I want to. The second time....” She flinched, and a faint shiver ran over her skin. She drew a deep breath, gathering her resolve,and cuddled closer, resting her head on my chest. “My mother was always trying to get me in with what she consideredthe right crowd. There was this music producer who threw all these grand parties, and to be invited to one... well, it was a symbol that you had made it in the music business. When my mom finally wrangled me an invitation, she was over the moon.” Izzy exhaled slowly, releasing a soft sigh. “The party... it wasn’t what I expected. It was nice at first, and the producer seemed really interested in my music. He invited me upstairs to his in-house recording studio to lay down some test tracks, but when we got there, it wasn’t a music studio. It was his bedroom.”
Her words were suddenly interrupted by a shiver that coursed through her body, prompting Izzy to snuggle closer. I gently traced my fingers through her hair in a soothing, rhythmic gesture, hoping to offer comfort. The room seemed to hold its breath as the moments stretched on, each second passing with a hushed stillness before Izzy found her voice once more. “My mother locked me in the bedroom with him. It... it wasn’t pleasant.”
