Page 95 of Purrfectly Haunted

Once again, I tremble when he calls me baby. With one word, I am undone.

"Yes," I whisper, turning my face to his.

Our breath mingle, and then our lips touch. All our kisses have been tender since our reunion. James handles me like I'm truly made of glass. It helped, at first. I needed it to heal and feel like my body was truly my own. But now it's not enough. I want more.

I deepen the kiss, my tongue seeking his. He kisses me back tentatively, and my body sings. His hand is still on my chest, and I grab it. I start rubbing it against my heated skin, kneading my pec. My nipple perks up.

He stops kissing me just long enough to whisper a warning, "Ewan…"

I ignore him and drag his hand lower. He takes my cue and gently caresses my abs. Every touch sends sparks along my spine, and heat travels to my groin.

"James," I beg, but he's content to touch my upper body.

Slow, maddening strokes of his hand. I writhe under his touch.

More…

I push his hand lower still, until his palm is over my erection, my cock pulsing with every heartbeat.

"Ewan…" he says. "Maybe we shouldn't…"

It feels like a rejection, and I can't help it, I let out a sob. The tears come, unstoppable. I try to contain them, but my shoulders heave and my chest hurts.

"Baby, what—"

"I'm sorry," I choke out.

What if my life never goes back to normal? What if I really am broken, and he doesn't want me like he used to? Has the veil stolen my happiness for good?

"Why are you sorry?" James asks. "You're fine. You're perfect."

I can only shake my head and cry. I don't know how to fix this. How to fix me. He told me he loved me, over and and over again, but does he love me as a lover or just as a thing to be protected and cherished?

I don't want to be protected—I know how to protect myself now—I want to be loved and fucked into the mattress.

I must have said it out loud, because James hovers above me, his hands on both sides of my body, and he says, "Are you sure, Ewan? Do you really want me to touch you, really touch you, like I used to?"

I shiver. "Aye…"

"I love you too much to hurt you, baby. So I want to be sure of what you want and what you need. Tell me…" He sounds raw. "You have tell me. Ask me, and I'll give you the world."

My heart swells.

"I want you to want me. And… take..."

In the dark, I can't see his face, but I notice the way he tilts his head. "Take?"

"Aye… My heart might be fragile, but my body isn't. James, if you don't fuck me in all the ways imaginable tonight, I might die. Spontaneous combustion, remember? It's a valid risk."

His laugh echoes in our room, crystal clear and so lovely.

"Then let's combust together, my love. Because I'm already burning for you," he says before kissing me again.

This time he's not holding back as he kisses me. It's savage and just the perfect amount of aggressive to put me back together. His hand grabs my face forcefully, his fingers digging into my cheeks as he devours my lips.

At last, I feel all my anxiety seep away as he takes control. I don't want to think anymore, I just want to feel.

His hands roam all over my body, caressing, grabbing, rubbing, pulling… I'm taut with need.