Page 19 of Seduced By the Mermen
“Blair.” Zion takes my hand. “You’re okay. You’re safe.”
“What?” I roll toward him, and he grips my hand more firmly.
His eyes have softened and are full of concern. “You drifted off somewhere. A bad memory, perhaps?”
I nod.
“You don’t have to tell me. You can if you want to, though. But can I give you a hug?”
I’m not sure why, but I’m on the edge of tears when he sayshug. “I’d like that,” I choke out. “I’d really like that.”
He pulls me into his arms. And I’m surrounded by his amazing scent of cedarwood. I settle my cheek onto his hard chest. My breath is slow and jagged. Emotions bombard me. Comfort wrestles with trepidation. I squeeze my legs together, and I’m greeted by a wave of lust. My hand has settled between the two of us on a firm ridge of his chest. My head rests on his arm, and his hands are clamped to my back. He’s holdingme so tightly. How does he know that I like a firm touch? The ticklishness from before...
His head presses against the top of my head. And honestly, I don’t know the last time I’ve felt this safe. Maybe sleeping in my parents’ bed during a hailstorm? Each deep breath of his cedar scent transports me deeper to comfort.
“Blair,” Zion’s deep voice vibrates beneath his ribs. His hand smooths down my hair, down my back, and the zaps zipping in my core are winning, that’s for sure. I’m on fire. I tilt my head up, running my cheek along the smooth skin on his chest. My heart is beating so fast there’s no way he can’t feel it through my sleeping shirt and thick robe, but the thudding coming from me has to be stronger.
“Zion?”
He’s going to kiss me, and I’m not sure I want him to. But then, I’m not sure I don’t.
His top arm loosens from my back. His finger presses around the collar of the robe and up my chin to my lips. My lips part, and he pushes the pad of his thumb along my lower lip. He rubs my lip like it has never been rubbed before. I squeeze my legs together. And Zion hisses.
“You are stunning.” His thumb trails off my lip, and I don’t know what possesses me, but I reach up and kiss him. It’s quick. My lips push against his before I hide my head in his chest again. “Blair?” He laughs, and the rumbling against my ear has me squeezing my legs even more tightly together. His hand tightens around my chin, and his blue-gray eyes come into view. “May I kiss you back?”
I nod.
“I need you to answer me, Blair.”
“Is it like being a vampire? Yes, I mean yes.”
His chuckle disappears as his lips control our kiss. Not a kiss.Thekiss. The first real kiss I think I’ve ever had. It’s firm andsoft. When his tongue enters my mouth, stars glimmer behind my eyes. There’s a strong possibility that I’ve reverted to being a virgin.
I can’t get enough of this kiss. My hand flattens against his warm abs. I move a finger upward to the side of his cheek, back to his hair. In the back, it’s curly and long enough to sink my fingertips into. So soft. I moan into his mouth.
When he pulls back, it’s too soon. My lungs are gasping for air, and I’m sweating. I’ve never been this warm. I need the robe to come off. My fingers fumble with the knot I’ve tied on the belt.
“Let me.” His gentle eyes flick to the belt.
“I’m so hot.” My hand flings over my eyes.
“I agree.”
I’m fighting back, laughing as he gets the knot undone. His eyes flash up at me. And he peels back the robe. He’s careful, like I’m a special present and not the day-old bakery muffin I normally feel like. My blue and gold tunic-shirt-thing has risen up to my chest. I’m wearing plain black underwear that the shop at the market made especially for me. It’s not a thing here, but going commando isn’t something I’ve ever wanted to do. Not until now.
Zion’s fingers move confidently over my stomach to my plain black panties. “These are interesting.”
And I have to laugh. Interesting was always my family’s word for gross.
“Perhaps that’s the wrong word. Enticing. Lovely, but they are in the way.” He yanks them down my legs in a swift motion, and I gasp.
Chapter 9
Zion
Her gasp turns into a giggle, and she covers first her mouth and then her eyes.
“Blair, open your eyes.” I’m leaning on my side, about to go to my knees. There’ll be no doubt in her mind that I’m completely healthy in a minute, when I have my calf pressed into the mattress. I slide my fingers down the sides of her legs. “If you’re warm, the robe isn’t helping.” I tug on the sleeves. I’ve never been able to wait for dessert if it was on the table. But then, there’s more at play here. She’s never been taken care of correctly. Something I plan on changing. Even the slightest compliments have her blushing or turning away.
