Chapter 102 Uncharted territory
Ira's POV
I blink once and then twice, stiffening when I feel the world tilt.
I relax the moment I realize I'm in someone's arms. Strong arms hold me under my knees and across my back, while my head rests against a firm shoulder.
The familiarity of his muscles and that distinct smell of his prevents me from worrying.
Ruel's footsteps are steady and slow, like he's trying not to wake me.
I keep my eyes closed allowing my body stay limp while I pretend to still be asleep, enjoying the privilege of being carried like a princess.
The sound of a door opening meet my ears and then I'm taken into a warmer atmosphere. From the scent, I can tell this is Ruel's room.
I don't say a word, sleepily snuggling into him. He holds me firmer, walking a few more steps before coming to a stop.
The arms under me shift and lower me slowly. I remain still even as the bed cries softly under my weight.
Warm envelopes me immediately and it smells like him too.
I sink into them and keep my breathing even and slow.
My heart races when I feel the bed dip beside me with what I'm guessing is a knee and then it dips more as he settles in behind me.
Ruel pulls the covers up over both of us, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling me back against his chest.
My spine fits perfectly into the curve of his body. Those muscles acting as the perfect cushion for my tired body.
My fingers squeezed the bed when warm lips touch my closed eyelid, lingering softly.
“Sleep, Ira,” Ruel whispers in a deep relaxed tone.
My eyes flutter open and I embarrassingly shut them back only to reopen them, knowing it's pointless to keep pretending.
He is right there, his face inches away from me. His beautiful grey eyes are half-lidded, watching me quietly. There's barely any emotion in them, save the familiar cold stare. But he has looked at me long enough for me to differentiate his icy look and his possessive look.
His eyes darken as the hunger in them become more obvious, causing my stomach to twist in anticipation.
Before I can speak, his mouth covers mine.
There is no rush this time. He lingers, kissing me slowly yet causing my insides to burn up.
His hand cups the back of my head, warm fingers threading deep into my hair, holding me exactly where he wants me.
I feel how careful he is, how he doesn’t rush me. He keeps the kiss gentle, giving me time until I relax without even thinking about it.
When I open my mouth, he moves in with the same slow pace, like this is something he really enjoys doing.
A sound slips out my mouth when his other hand begins to roam. Starting at my waist, he glides up my ribs, his thumb brushing the underside of my breast through the thin fabric of my dress.
My body shivers as his hand slides down again, over the curve of my hip, squeezing once, hard enough to remind me how roughly he'd taken me the last time.
He moves back up, under the hem now. His calloused palm skate over my bare skin, tracing the line of my spine then spreads wide across my lower back to press me tighter against him.
My own hands move without permission, sliding under his shirt, finding the hard planes of his stomach, the roughness of an old scar, then higher to grip his shoulders and pull myself closer.
With a groan, Ruel deepens the kiss, until my lungs burn and my thighs press together instinctively.
When he finally pulls back, I'm left panting, our foreheads pressed gently together.
“I didn't mean to wake you up,” he says, his eyes drifting to my lips again.
I swallow, looking away from him, finding it hard to control my heartbeat when he's right in front of me. “You could have taken me to my room. Why bring me here?”
“I wanted you here.” he says flatly.
My throat tightens as I push at his chest, gaining an inch of space. “Why? So you can storm out again when you've had your full? So you can leave the moment I begin to disgust you?”
He looks confused for a moment but after a second he mumbles. “I was not disgusted.”
I scoff bitterly. “You fucked me raw, so hard and then you slammed the door in my face.”
His jaw flexes. He looks at my mouth, then my eyes. “That is not why I left.”
“Then why?” I yell, stiffening when he exhales slowly through his nose.
“Because if I stayed, I would have….” he rises from the bed and my heart drops.
I sit up, preparing to be sent out.
“That was your punishment. I won't do it again if you don't allow another person lay a hand on you.”
“I own my body Ruel. If someone wants to wipe off sweat from me then…”
“No they don't get to do it. You are mine. I can take care of you. I don't need…”
“Bukasvad was only being kind.” I say in defense but my heart clenches as his name reminds me of my dream.
Could it really be?
“Next time he acts kind, I'll break all his fingers.”
“You can't or this thing between us is over. Find someone else to fuck. I'm not some puppet you get to control. I may be a servant but I'm not your slave.”
“Ira.” Ruel grabs my arm as I jump off his bed.
“What?”
“Do you like him that much?” He glares.
“This isn't about Bukasvad or Cortis or any other person. This is about you. I don't want to be with someone who doesn't trust me. You took my virginity Ruel. I kept myself for so long. What makes you think I'll give my body to just anyone.”
“It's not just about your body, it's…”
“It's what?” I ask, hating how he keeps holding back his words. “Tell me Ruel.”
“I hate the idea of you getting close to someone else.” he says.
“Because you feel I'll sleep with them.”
“No. Because I feel you'll find something better than me and no longer want to be with me.” He grits out angrily.
The room is silent for a while. Neither of us say a word.
“Ruel,” I whisper but he steps back.
“Leave.” He orders.
There it is, that word I hate the most.