~ ~ ~
Brannick led Juliet upstairs, holding her hand the entire distance. He’d had a difficult time figuring out what was bothering her. She’d been upset about something from the time she’d changed her clothes. Though he thought he understood at least part of it. He was pretty sure she was looking too far into the future and not seeing him in her life.
He could relate because dammit this time with her, having hot sex on her desk in her home by the canal, sharing her fae abilities, watching her slam her feet into Roche’s chest, all made him want something he was determined not to allow into his life.
He despised Five Bridges and from the time he’d signed up to serve as a border patrol officer, he’d been sure of an early death in this stinking long-lived world.
But being so close to Juliet and having a memory of their intimacy, if not all of it, had created a powerful longing for more than he could possible give.
When he reached the top of the stairs, he felt oddly grateful they were both in an unfamiliar place though he couldn’t say why. From what he could remember of the dreamglide sex, they’d been in each other’s bedrooms a lot, but never in this one.
She led him to the bathroom. “Want to share?”
“Hell, yeah,” he said. “I’m remembering what happened last time.”
She tilted her head and played with one of her long curls. “Actually, I have something else in mind.” She turned on her heel and he followed on a quick trot like a begging dog.
The bathroom, in the same mode as the rest of the house, was small. The shower was part of the claw-foot bathtub. He took off his boots and socks, then stripped out of his leathers and tank top. The whole time he watched her as she very slowly lifted her arms and untied the halter of her clinging lavender gown.
He waited, as though struck dumb as men often were by the hope of getting to see a naked woman.
She played it well, easing the straps down very slowly. His arousal stiffened the slower she went. Seeing that her gaze was on his cock, he held his erection in his hand and stroked for her.
Her lips parted and her tongue made an appearance.
But the halter kept moving lower until the fabric dipped to reveal her peaked nipples. When she let the top go and took her breasts in her hands, his fist went faster.
It all seemed so familiar, yet not. She must have done this before, but he couldn’t remember.
He watched as she lifted a finger to her lips and slid it inside then drew it out. It was wet as she circled the tip of one of her nipples.
He groaned and released his cock. He closed the short distance between them, then took her in his arms. He let go of her in almost the same move since he had to get her dress off.
She was laughing as he tugged it over her hips to pool around her feet. She kicked her sandals off.
When she was naked, he drew back just enough to get a good look, but couldn’t bring himself to let go of her. He dipped down and took a breast in his mouth, or as much of it as he could manage. Juliet had beautiful breasts.
The sex earlier had been quick and very hot. But right now, he wanted to take his time. He didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, or even the next few hours.
Her hands were on his head. She used her nails to push his hair back. “I love that you’re doing this to me. I love it so much. You have no idea.”
At that, he rose up and met her gaze. “What are you saying?”
Tears filled her eyes. “I’ve been so freaking lonely, Brann. I was married and I loved my husband. Life was going to be so good. We were trying for a baby.”
He pulled her close and his own eyes burned something fierce. He squeezed his eyes shut not wanting to remember his family or what had happened to them, or even that in his recent delirium he’d spoken with his wife again.
“Maybe we could be together, or at least try.” Had he actually said the words out loud? He drew back and caressed her face.
Her head moved slowly back-and-forth as though in disbelief. “You mean like a relationship? A real one?”
He shrugged. Damn these words were so hard to say. “Maybe we could date.”
He was breaking his rule even speaking the words out loud.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Juliet gripped both of Brannick’s arms. “You want to date me?” They were the words she’d longed to hear for months. But even in the dreamgliding, Brann had held to his non-relationship position.