Sauter (Ironside Academy, #3)(63)

“I don’t think I’m asexual,” she said. “I think I’m very, very, very not asexual.”

His stomach tightened. “Weird way to announce that you’re horny.”

She dropped her fingers from the chain, her hand falling to her thigh. She didn’t bother averting her gaze as she stretched her legs out to catch the water again.

“I wish I wasn’t a virgin,” she grumbled. “I wish it wasn’t such a big deal. I wish I could just go get a normal boyfriend who isn’t a mate and just get rid of all these feelings …” She trailed off, and he realised there was a low rumbling emanating from his chest. It was rough and furious, and he could feel the spark of fear that jolted through her.

Dammit. Gabriel wrangled back the flash of furious possessiveness, not wanting to lose their moment. “Sorry,” he rumbled. “I like … talking to you like this. Being inside you makes me feel like I’m completely in control. I can see everything and you … can’t. I feel like I could tell you anything. I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this before.”

“What about Elijah?” she asked, keeping her voice free of the alarm that he could feel flash through her anyway.

She thought he was fucked up.

She would be correct.

“Other than Elijah,” he said.

“You said you have two best friends. You said they both sacrificed for you. Who is the other one?”

“Niko.”

She was silent for too long, and when she spoke again, her vision had blurred like there were tears gathering in her eyes. “Gabe?” she whispered.

“Hmm.” He couldn’t trust his voice.

“Do you think we can do this?” The tears spilled over, briefly clearing her vision before filling it again. “Like … forever? I don’t want to be in pain forever. I don’t want to be dancing this dance forever.”

“You won’t.” What the fuck are you saying, asshole?

“How do you know?” She sniffled.

“Because I’m promising you.” Fuck, fuck, fuck, don’t do that.

“Say it properly.” She trembled on the edge of openly sobbing. Her breath hitched as she waited for him to pull her back, and god-fucking-dammit, he didn’t want to see her fall.

“I promise, Isobel.”

Her sigh was shaky, her body falling limp against the wall.

“Where’s your hand?” He needed to distract himself. Or her. Or both of them.

She held her hand up before her face, and Gabriel could feel her face twisting in confusion. “Right he—”

“Not that one.” His purr was supposed to be deliberate. Instead, it slipped out before he could force it out. “The other one.”

“B-Between my legs,” she stammered. “I didn’t want to accidentally flash you.”

“You’re already covered in water and tears. You might as well be wet everywhere. Rub your clit until you are.”

“W-Why?” Her breath stuttered out. Poor girl thought she needed a reason to come.

“Because as soon as you’re wet enough, you’re going to stick a finger into your honey and then suck on it so I know what you taste like. I’ve never been a huge fan of fruit, but ever since I met you, I’ve been craving cherries.”

She choked on a tiny whine, a jolt of surprised pleasure sizzling through her body. It echoed into his, and he felt his dick filling with blood as her fingers drifted down over the flat plane of her belly.

It broke him the way she always obeyed.

She skipped right past her little button, finding a warm, wet channel already waiting for her, as though his order had instantly sent a rush of nectar where she needed it. It dewed her thighs as she pushed a finger inside herself.

“Jesus Christ, that’s a good girl.” Gabriel didn’t even realise he was feeling for the heavy length of his own desire laying against his thigh. It was thickening with every little pant she caught in her throat.

“A-Are you …” She seemed to get shy, before pushing her fingers into her mouth.

Sweet, sticky cherry burst over his tongue.

“Fuck. Shit.” He gripped himself tightly, pumping once, the movement rough. “Am I what, Isobel?”

“Sure you might be asexual?” she burst out, her fingers falling out of her mouth.

He laughed, a weird spark of joy lighting inside him, the feeling so bright he couldn’t figure out if it had originated from him, or from her. “Fingers back in your pussy, brat.”

“I don’t usually do this,” she admitted breathlessly, her touches lazy, almost shy. “I mean I have done this, I just …”

“You’ve been too busy trying to survive,” he grumbled. “You forgot to live. Lucky for you, I prefer to take control. Touch your nipples, beautiful girl.”

“You never talk to me like this,” she gasped, her hips jerking at the reverence in his voice.

“Just this once, just while we’re alone,” he repeated his earlier sentiment.

She pinched one of those pretty little nipples. “I think you would be better at this than me.”

“I am doing this.” Gabriel's dick was wet before, but now he could feel his own excitement leaking from the tip, making the glide of his hand even smoother as he thought about her annoying teleporting side effect and how very convenient it would be if it activated at that moment. It was best this way, though. He wasn’t sure he would be able to keep his hands to himself with her cherry essence on his tongue and the knowledge of how smooth and soft her skin was in his mind.