“That and more. ” Perry drew a shuddering breath. “You’d have a fair idea of what I want right now. ”
“What would that be?”
“You nearer. ”
“How near?”
He lifted the edge of his blanket.
She surprised him by folding her arms around his waist and embracing him. Perry looked down at the top of her dark head as she burrowed against his chest. Something heavy and cold at his core lightened. Hugging wasn’t what he’d had in mind, but maybe it was better. It shouldn’t surprise him, her knowing what he needed more than he did.
After a moment, she drew back. Tears pooled in her eyes. She was so close, her scent moving through him, filling him. He found his eyes pooling too.
“I know we only have this time, Perry. I know it’ll end. ”
He kissed her then, parting her soft lips with his. She tasted perfect. Like fresh rain. He deepened their kiss, his hands finding her, bringing her closer. But then she drew away and smiled. Without a word, she kissed the bridge of his nose, then the corner of his lip, and then a spot on his chin. His heart stopped when she tugged his shirt up. He helped her, yanking it over his head. Her gaze ran over his chest and then her fingers trailed over his Markings. He couldn’t slow down his breathing.
“Perry. I want to see your back. ”
Another surprise, but he nodded and turned away. Dropped his head forward and took the moment to try and calm his breath. He jerked when she traced the shape of the wings on his skin, a groan sliding out of him. Perry silently cursed himself. He couldn’t have sounded more Savage if he’d tried.
“Sorry,” she whispered.
He cleared his throat. “We get them when we turn fifteen. All Marked do. A band for your Sense and one for your name. ”
“He’s magnificent. Like you,” she added softly.
That was what did it. He spun and caught her up, pulling her down onto the boards, possessing just enough of his wits to soften their fall with his arms.
Aria gave a startled laugh. “You didn’t like that?”
“I did. Too much. ” With some quick shifting, he pulled a blanket beneath them, another one over. And then she was his. He kissed her and lost himself in the silk of her skin, and in her violet scent.
“Perry, if we . . . couldn’t I get . . . ?”
“No,” he said. “Not now. Your scent would be different. ”
“It would? How?”
Questions. Of course with her. Even now. “Sweeter,” he said.
She pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Aria,” he whispered, “we don’t have to do this if you’re not sure. ”
“I trust you and I’m sure,” she said, and he knew it was true.
He kissed her slowly. Everything went slowly so he co
uld follow her temper, and search into her eyes. When they joined, her scent was brave and strong and certain. Perry took it into himself, breathing her breath, feeling what she felt. He’d never known anything as right.
Chapter 37
ARIA
The next morning, Perry told her the wolves’ scents were faint. He didn’t think the pack was close, but they traveled with more care than ever, relaxing only when they had left that territory behind.
He was different with her. He spoke to her quietly as they walked. He answered every one of her questions, even things she didn’t ask, knowing she’d want to know them. He told her about the plants they passed. Which ones were edible or had medicinal uses. He showed her the animal tracks they came across and explained how to navigate by the shape of the hills.