When the Time is Right

LERRIN

Suhle took two stumbling steps towards him before he reached her and pulled her into his chest. There was a flash that he should not reach, should not press her—but even as he began to relax his grip, she clung, whimpering and laid her mouth to his.

It was as if his entire skin was washed in starlight. Everything rushed out of him, towards her and something within him broke open, a surge of love and desire, possession and desperation bursting out of his heart and flowing through his veins, racing to fill his muscles, his bones, his skin.

He buried his hands in her hair and held her, kissing her with every ounce of fear and faith within him. Hands shaking, breath shuddering, he forced himself to gentleness when everything within him instinctively wanted to take, to own, to mark and possess.