Page 58 of Tethered to the World
Instead of claws and pain like she expected, the touch was barely a brush of fingers down her spine, leaving a trail of heat in its wake, a shiver of pleasure tingling along her skin. Her legs shook with the need to lean into that touch and demand more.
“Annora!” Logan latched onto her arms, both of them hissing in pain at the contact, and she fell against the vehicle with a thump. Instead of letting her go, Logan tightened his grip.
Needles slid deep into her flesh until they hit bone. The pain heated, twisted to pleasure, and she felt more than heard Logan groan. Logan shuffled closer, grunting when he pressed against her, the flash of pain shorter.
Then all she felt was pleasure.
Her lips tingled with the need to taste him, her breasts aching to be touched.
Logan practically quivered, his breaths short and heavy, his blue eyes smoldering with heat, the glow in them promising so much more. He licked his lips, revealing teeth that were sharper than human. “I want to kiss you.”
But he didn’t move.
She wasn’t sure if he was grounding her in the real world or if she was pulling him into hers, but the thought scared her badly enough that she shoved him away.
The instant the contact broke, she fell through the car, landing with a grunt against the cold ground. Her body felt achy and incredibly empty. Logan’s groan sounded like he was being tortured. When he peered down at her, he was panting, hunger burning in his eyes.
She crawled away from the vehicle, and Logan twisted, stalking her every move, waiting to pounce. She froze, not sure if she would have the willpower to stop him next time.
“You’re going to have to touch me if we want to get home.” He straightened, then opened the car door and crawled across the passenger seat. He started the engine, then reached over his shoulder, grabbed the back of his shirt, and tore it off over his head. He leaned across the seat then held out his hand toward her. “The connection is stronger when you touch skin.”
Then he said no more, waiting for her to decide.
While she wanted to run and hide, it was much too late for that. She couldn’t risk anyone else finding and touching her.
She got to her feet slowly, then reluctantly reached for his hand.
At the first touch, a flash of pain arrowed down her fingers to her elbow, like sticking her finger in a socket. Then the pleasure hit, stronger than ever, sucking her under the tidal wave. Logan tightened his hold, then pulled her inside the vehicle until she was tucked up against his side.
He was right—the more skin she touched, the more solid her flesh became—and the greater the pleasure.
Logan placed her hand on his stomach, a grimace contorting his features, his fingers clamping down on her hand as if he was terrified she would pull away again. He screwed his eyes shut, then gripped the steering wheel with both fists, the metal groaning in complaint. Then he nodded, staring straight ahead. “Close the door.”
Annora reached back, her hand dragging across his stomach as she slammed the door, and he gave a tortured groan. “Baby, you shatter my control.”
He didn’t wait for a response, but put the car in gear and drove like the demons of hell were after him. The touch between them became soothing after a few minutes, and she brushed her fingers over his chest until he seemed to relax.
She glanced down at herself, noting that she looked solid, the dizziness all but gone, and reached down to touch her leg.
Solid.
“I think whatever was happening is finished.” When she went to remove her touch, he quickly slapped his hand over hers, settling their joined hands low on his stomach.
“Don’t.” He cast a critical look over her, then shook his head. “Let’s wait until we get home. I don’t want to risk it.”
She hesitated for a second, worried what prolonged contact might do to him. But he no longer appeared to be in pain, nor could she sense that he was weakening like Xander. He began to lightly trace his fingers over the back of her hand, distracting her from her chaotic thoughts.
And it was impossible not to notice the erection straining the front of his jeans, her hand resting just inches away. Though she’d been doing her best to ignore it, couldn’t curb her curiosity.
“Does it hurt?”
Logan made a sound between a groan and a laugh. He pressed against the back of his seat, lifting his hips to readjust his pants. “Yes, but in a good way.”
His husky tone had her squirming in her seat.
He noticed—he seemed to notice everything about her.
He cast her a look from the corner of his eyes. “Do you want me to show you what it feels like?”
