“You are entitled to happiness,” he repeated, but this time his tone was
harsh and desperate. “I am entitled to happiness. I’ve not known happiness.
Do you understand that? Never. It’s always been a battle. A task.”
He looked so desperately shaken that she had to place her hands on either
side of his face. She finally touched him the way she’d longed to touch him
for far longer than she could admit. In the shadows, she could. In the
shadows, none of this was real.
“Please don’t make me beg.” He closed his eyes and leaned into her
hand.
His skin felt feverish. Hira’s fingers found the back of his neck and she
pulled him until they pressed their bodies against one another. He was hard
and solid.
“I want you, Commander,” she hissed against his mouth.
He shook his head. “I’ll not be a quick fuck for you.”
“Will it truly be quick?” she attempted a smile but failed.
He looked away, and she realized she could do this for a lifetime. Tease
him and banter with him. Feeling him against her in a way that sent a thrill
into the very pit of her belly. A conversation with him, of unfolding him
like a rose’s petals, was the highlight of her day.
She held his head, and he leaned into her, melting into her touch until
Hira felt she cupped his entire soul between her fingers. She kissed his
temple, that small patch where tiny gray hairs spurted.
“I cannot promise you my life. But I can promise you tonight, my love.
Won’t you love me tonight?” she whispered.
No sooner were the words out of her mouth that his lips descended on
hers.