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Maklr sat on the edge of the bed to take off his boots. He placed them quietly on the floor near the foot of the bed. He motioned towards his shirt. “This will wrinkle if I sleep in it. Do you mind if I take it off?”

“Go ahead. What about your pants?”

“My pants won’t wrinkle.”

“If you want to take them off, you can,” Nell said.

She walked to her small closet and procured a hanger. “Here.” She hung his shirt next to her clothing. “Can you move the plush please?”

Maklr placed the plush on the window sill and Nell pulled down the covers. Maklr crawled on the bed, pressed his back against the wall and lay with his left arm under her pillow. He patted his chest with his right arm. “Take your time.”

Nell walked to the door, twisted the lock into place. She dimmed the lights and stood before him. Her eyes glimmered. Inone smooth motion, she pulled the tunic top over her head and she shimmied out of her pants. She stood before him wearing only a sports bra and a pair of panties.

Maklr’s mouth dropped open. “Nell,” he gasped.

She sat on the bed, slid down facing Maklr and pulled covers up before pressing her body against his. Her head rested on the pillow, their foreheads practically touching. Maklr kept his arm glued to his side, unwilling to move it without her permission. Nell reached over and slid her hand onto his side. She ran her fingers over his stomach and up his chest. “Kiss me,” she murmured.

“Nell,” Maklr sighed.

“I love you, Maklr.”

“How I longed to hear those words. I love you too, Nell.” His lips met hers in a soft kiss.

Her hands roamed his body, caressing his skin. She moaned into his mouth as his hand moved over her shoulder underneath her bra strap and he palmed her breast. “Nell,” he breathed. He kissed her neck, her earlobes, and the sensitive spot just below her collarbone, feeling her shiver with pleasure at his touch. His hands moved slowly, caressing her skin as if memorizing every inch of her body. Nell’s breathing grew deeper, her eyes closed as she melted into his embrace. “My Nell.”

Nell parted her legs, resting her left knee over Maklr’s hip. “Touch me,” she said, her voice breathy.

“Are you ready?”

Nell nodded. She pulled the bra over her head and slid her panties down as far as she could reach. Nell’s body tensed as he trailed his fingertips along the contours of her hips, her waist, and the soft swell of her breasts.

She rolled onto her back. Maklr leaned up on his elbow. Nell had shut her eyes and twisted her head to the side, her eyelashes closed tight.

Suddenly. Maklr’s weight lifted off the bed. “I can’t. I won’t do this to you. You’re not comfortable.”

“I want this. I want you,” Nell protested.

“How can I make it more comfortable for you?”

Nell’s heart pounded. “What if,” she paused. “What if I’m on top and you didn’t touch me?”

“I can do that,” he said.

Nell climbed off the bed, allowing Maklr to take her spot. He placed his hands above his head, crossed at the wrist.

“Can I…” she trailed off.

“Nell, you can do anything you want to me,” he said.

“Can I tie your wrists?”

Maklr nodded. “Anything for your comfort.”

Nell took a ribbon off her small dresser, wrapped it around his wrists, and tied it in a loose bow. “I know it’s not really going to hold you back.”

“It’s symbolic. I will never hurt you. Use me. I’m yours to command,” he said. “You need to feel safe. Cherished. Desired. I want you completely at ease.”

Nell nodded. “I can do this.”