NINETEEN

Elodie

In my dream, I'm smothered by a warm cozy blanket. It should be a good feeling. At first it is. Then the fluffy fabric finds its way into my mouth and I can't talk. It's hard to breathe. My arms and legs are tangled and I try to roll out of bed, but I can't move.

I wake with my arms and legs flailing and nearly sock Azeroth in the belly.

He sleeps on, one hand flung over his head, completely uncovered with his beautiful naked body on display.

The feeling of being smothered in my dream lingers, but I can sit easily enough. Nothing is tangled around me. I move slowly, careful not to wake Azeroth. It feels strange to be waking in his bed. Forbidden. Like when you reach your hand into the sweet jar and take a handful instead of only one like you were supposed to.

He's so pretty. I suppose I should say handsome, but pretty is the word that springs to mind, despite the horns and the bony ridges and red skin. His jawline is sharp and cheekbones high; he has long dark lashes and beautifully curved brows. They combine to make him stunning. His face is almost too symmetrical. Definitely inhuman.

When he inhales deeply and rolls to his side, I scramble off the bed, tucking the sheet around my bare breasts in an effort to get away before he wakes.

I don't know what I'm worried about really. Only, I can't shake the feeling of wanting space.

I make it out of the room and down the hall to the guest room without being stopped. Maybe he woke and he just didn't want to stop me. There's no reason for him to. We fucked. We didn't exchange vows or anything. Things will go back to being friendly today. They might even feel less tense now that the sexual energy between us has been used up.

I mean it has, hasn't it?

My traitorous pussy gives a weak little flutter when I think about the sight of him naked and spread out on his bed. I wish I'd taken the time to look properly. I can't believe how good he made me feel yesterday. How good he felt inside me.

Multiple times.

I must have drifted off after the first round, because I woke in his arms. Then he ordered dinner, fed it to me in bed, and proceeded to eat me while I was finishing my dessert. Of course, I got distracted and that turned into more hot sex. The kind that means I'm feeling it between my legs now in the most delicious way.

As I turn the shower on in the ensuite, I press my thighs together and savor the feeling. A little sore, but excitingly so. I've missed this feeling. I'm not sure I ever had it quite like this, even when Dustin and I were first together.

When I catch my reflection in the mirror, I hardly recognize the dreamy little smile curving my lips and the flushed cheeks of someone who has been soundly pleasured.

So dangerous.

I have to get a hold of myself. Soon I'll be dancing around humming tunes and talking to the pigeons in the street like an old school Disney princess, and that is not where I need to be. I should be in full rebound mode, taking advantage of my newfound single status and getting over Dustin, not risking my heart to someone else who is just as wrong for me in different ways.

Only, I'm not used to being treated like this. With care and respect. It makes me hate myself a little for how long I put up with the way Dustin treated me by the end.

Quinn and I argued more than once when they pointed out what a shitty boyfriend Dustin was. I just wasn't ready to see it. In true Quinn fashion, they were just telling it to me like it is. No holds barred, no fucks given. Everyone needs a friend like that.

Ooof, that reminds me, I still haven't caught up with Quinn and they'll be expecting me to call. I just can't see a way to have a private moment with them while Azeroth is still bound to me.

I'm stepping into the steamy shower when my phone rings. I squint through the foggy glass and my heart sinks when I see the caller ID: Quinn. Hard to believe they're even up at 6:30 in the morning. They don't start work until nine, and they often work flexible hours, so sometimes it's not until 9:30 or 10. I'm all wet. I can't answer it now. Besides, we still can't talk properly. Not really. I let it go to voicemail, the knot of guilt twisting in my belly until it stops ringing.

I'm still wrapping up my wet hair when I step out of the bathroom. I jump. Azeroth is leaning against the wall, wearing only pajama pants and a broad grin. "Good morning, gorgeous. What's for breakfast? You?"

When he steps toward me, I dodge with a nervous giggle. "Don't we have to get to work? You probably have an early meeting, right?"

He pursues me into the kitchen, but rather than cornering me, he rests a hip against the counter and watches me. "No. I've arranged for both of us to work from home for a little while. It's far too difficult to do anything with temptation in front of me all day long."

I guess the sexual tension has not blown off for him.

Honestly, I love the dirty look in his knowing expression and the promise in the way he says ‘work from home'.

It's more than the flirting and the promise of incredible sexual pleasure that has me flushing and smiling, and feeling like we're still up in that hot air balloon floating above the earth.

I know this feeling. It's dangerously familiar.

But he told me, didn't he? Demons can't fall in love.

If I get attached, I'm going to get hurt.

Only, I'm not sure I'll be able to help myself if we keep going the way we have been. Every time he smiles at me, I'm not sure I want to help it.

Not really sure how long I'm going to be able to hold out, but I have to try. Don't I? Do I? Really?

Oh, I'm so confused. I wish I could talk to Quinn right now. I should have taken that call.