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I paused at the endearment. That was new.

I knew what the word sweet meant. Heart was the human equivalent of the drakcol’s soul, while their soul was some intangible force.

Humans were very confusing. What I didn’t know was what they meant together.

NAID was giving a rather straightforward translation, but from Vince’s thoughts, it was well meant.

“What are you doing here? Not that it bothers me,” I said quickly, tail wiggling and wings readjusting on my back. “I like you here. In my quarters. With me. Now. It’s all wonderful.”

Vince chuckled. “Calm down. I’m not mad.”

I relaxed in a rush and moved toward him. I bent slowly, giving him plenty of time to move away if he wanted, and pressed a kiss on his forehead. My damp hair fell around his face and tickled him, making Vince squirm, though he grabbed my cheeks and pulled me down to his mouth.

We met in a gentle kiss. I relished every feel of his soft lips on mine. It had been several days since we’d kissed, and I’d missed it terribly. I never wanted to move away. This. This right here was perfect, and I feared when he was gone, I would miss Vince to the point of pain.

He shifted away first, and it took every fiber of self control not to chase his mouth.

A growl formed in my chest, but I swallowed it as best I could.

Vince didn’t seem bothered by the noise, as he stroked my cheeks and traced my features.

His thoughts were scattered, but not upset.

He was determined. About what, I wasn’t sure.

“What’s bothering you?” I asked, hoping his thoughts would show me. My very soul curled at the thought of him hurting.

“Nothing really.” Vince took a deep breath and released me, but I didn’t move away, needing to be close to him. “I want to touch you.”

“You know you can.”

He shook his head as his thoughts formed a very clear picture of him sucking me. My own cock began to lift as desperate need flowed through my veins.

A slight flush darkened his cheeks as he said, “I see you’re interested.”

“I think you need to expand on your thought.” I did not want a repeat of him forcing himself to fuck. Vince had hated it, and that had broken me in a way that I didn’t wish to experience again.

Vince motioned to the couch, and I took a seat. He said, “I know we need to talk about permissions and all that, which we didn’t do last time. That was a mistake. I’m sorry, Donny.”

I shook my head, tail coiling around his ankle. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

“I do, and I’m truly sorry. I should’ve talked with you. You needed it, and I ignored that. I’m really sorry.”

“I accept your apology.”

“Thank you, Sweetheart.” Vince took another deep breath and placed a hand on his chest. “I want to try something that I think will work.”

I tilted my head, listening to the flow of his thoughts.

Vince continued, “I want to touch you, Don, but I don’t want you to touch me. Not that you want to.”

“I want to,” I said immediately to comfort him. Stars above, I wanted to. It was an ache in my soul to feel his skin against my scales. I realized a moment too late I’d said the wrong thing when Vince hugged himself and disappointment shot through him.

“No, my Vince, that’s not what I meant. I mean, I did.” I ran my hand through my hair. How did such a small creature upset my usual calm so easily? “I mean, I do want to touch you, but I understand why you don’t want me to and I’m alright with it.”

“You might be able to touch me, but we’ll have to go slow,” Vince said. “I need more time. I realize that now.”

“And that’s fine.” Anything was better than hearing him scream in terror.

His thoughts turned to the scenario he was thinking about. Me naked on the couch as he explored my frame with his tongue and fingers. He was completely clothed, which seemed to relax him, and my hands were against the couch.

“I understand.”

“Are you alright with it?”

“Yes,” I answered, because I was. “Permission-wise, I will keep my hands to my sides and you can touch me wherever.”

“Your tail?”

I chuckled—he was very interested in touching my tail. “Yes.”

“Anything you don’t want?”

“I don’t enjoy pain or being insulted. Shame is not something I enjoy.” I’d had more than enough partners shame me that I didn’t enjoy it, even when it was meant to tease or titillate.

“Do you want me to be gentle?” he asked, head tilting.

“I do,” I replied in a hoarse voice. Most expected that because of my large size, I preferred rough fucking or even being the one in control.

I didn’t. I liked when things were gentle and I enjoyed being on the bottom, though I was versatile.

Not that any of that mattered. Vince wasn’t interested in penetrative sex at the moment.

Vince smiled. “I can do that. I want to be sweet to you.”

My cock lifted the rest of the way.

His eyes connected with the tenting on the front of my trousers, and he licked his lips as a rush of lust swept through him. His own cock started growing, and his voice was husky when he asked, “Do you want to do this?”

“Yes.”

“Take off your clothes,” he ordered, and I followed without hesitation.