Maelin smiled at Jay.
He slept with his mouth wide-open and with his sand-brown hair in disarray. His arms held her close. His legs twined her legs.
It is a wonderful way to wake up – all wrapped up in the man I love.
She played with his hair, trying to fluff it into order.
If I could stay with him, I would stay.
Her smile fell as her muscles twinged with the need to move.
To run.
To fly.
To points unknown.
To foreign lands.
To lands far away.
I can’t keep fighting it down.
The day will come when I will have to yield.
I will have to leave.
She closed her eyes and imagined his body as an anchor. His bones weighing down her bones.
“I wish I could stay.” She traced the outer edge of his lips with her finger
He moaned happily and opened his eyes.
“Good morning.” she said softly.
He murmured a “Good morning” back at her.
I wish you could come with me when I leave.
But I know you can’t.
I wish I could stay.
But I know I can’t.
“Do we have to get up?” he asked in a drowsy voice. “Can’t we just lie here all day?”
She kissed his mouth. “hmmm. It’s sorely tempting.”
Jay kissed her. “You make it tempting.” He rubbed his legs against her legs, pulling a pleased gasp out of her. He chuckled warmly. “I love you, Mae. Marry me.”
“Yes” was such an easy answer. One uncomplicated word. Only three letters long. Capable of being said in one breath.
It was the answer she wanted to say.
But then she felt the pull and tug of her dragon wanderlust.
Jay would gladly come with me, no matter where or when I went.
But.
It would mess him up to leave poor Isellta behind.
I can’t ask him to leave Isellta. Even if they can’t touch, they still need each other.
She kissed him. A long and tender kiss. “Ask me some other time.”
His face fell into disappointment.
“Jay. I’m not saying no. I’m just saying not yet. So, darling. Ask me some other time.”
“Then, stay with me.”
“Jay.”
“Please.” He kissed the hollow of her throat. “Don’t leave me.”
The feel of his lips on her soft skin and bones thrilled her. “I’m still here, Jay.” Her voice was breathless. “I’m not leaving yet.”
“But I know you, Mae. I know it will be soon. Can’t you at least stay until Sunday? That way if things don’t work out for the poor kid, you’ll be able to comfort him.” He shrugged helplessly. “I can’t comfort him. I can’t touch him. I can’t go near him. I can’t…”
She hugged him and kissed the side of his neck. “I’ll stay until Sunday.”
“And then?”
“Then, I’ll try to stay until the next Sunday and the next Sunday for as long as I can. But I can’t make you any promises, Jay, beyond these six more days.”
“I understand.”
“I love you, Jay. No place, no distance will change that fact.” She slid her hand down his side, loving the feel and strength of his ribcage. “I could say I love you because I love your body. Because everything you do satisfies me. Just a bunch of hot, sticky lust. But it’s more than that. Jay. You are more than that.”
He smiled lovingly and it melted her.
“I love how easy it is to love you. You’re a good man. You’re gentle and caring. I love seeing you with Isellta. I love how much you care about him. And how much he adores you.”
Jay looked surprised at that.
She laughed. “Maybe not in a romantic way. More like you’re his favorite older brother. And I love that. It makes me happy for reasons I can’t fully explain.” She kissed him. “It makes me so proud of you.”
He rolled her onto her back and they lost themselves in a heaven of kisses and caresses.
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