Page 35 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2

"Next time," I promise. "I mean, if you want there to be a next time, maybe you didn't like it."

"Trust me, Bea, that felt a lot better than doing it to myself."

"I know what you mean," I respond, thinking back to how different it felt to have his hand between my legs compared to my own. I know which of the two I'd choose if given a chance. "So, I'm guessing that I can do the same thing for you as you did for me?" It's making me a little warm just thinking about it, especially when I know how good it felt for him to be between my legs.

"Give me a chance to recover, Bea," he responds, amusement written all over his face. "But yes. If you want to."

"I want to try everything," I respond.

"Why am I not surprised?"

"You know I'm curious."

He catches my hand in his and lifts it to his lips, kissing it gently. "I hope to spend a long time helping you sate your curiosity."

"Me too."

He pulls me closer, and I lean into him, knowing that this night is going to be the first of many that we get to spend together, and I'm glad to be here and not alone in my own bed, even if there are risks that come from staying the night here.

But right now, I don't care at all.

SIXTEEN

I refuse to open my eyes even as sleep escapes me. I don't want to leave the warm haven I've found myself in. Linc's arm is across my stomach, the pressure a reminder of what the two of us got to share.

"I can tell you're awake," he murmurs.

I turn in his arms, a flush reaching my cheeks as I realise the two of us are still naked beneath the sheet. Even though it's not the first time our hands have strayed, it feels different this time, partly because we're in bed. It's much more intimate and I like that more than I can truly put into words.

"Morning," I murmur.

"Morning," he responds. "How are you feeling?"

"Good," I say. "And tempted."

He chuckles. "Right now, I'm willing to give in to temptation."

I suck in a sharp breath. "We can give in any time we want," I remind him.

"I know, but I also like being able to work out what you like first," he says, smoothing his thumb over the skin of my waist as he does.

My breath catches in my throat. "I'm not sure how much longer I can wait."

"A little longer," he responds. "Because I also don't want it to be over before we're done."

"And we don't want a baby from it," I say.

He nods. "And that. Agnes will get back to me soon, and then we'll know what to do."

"Thank you for writing to her. I know it's probably a bit of an awkward thing to ask."

"A little. But she's just glad that I've met someone I like. Especially after I told her I'd never get married."

"You should have known your father was never going to allow that."

"Mmm, potentially," he agrees.

I shift closer to him, enjoying the warmth that comes from sharing a bed with someone else. "I don't want to get up."