KALLE

Gahrye had always been attentive, had always proven an exciting and thoughtful lover—something she knew was rare enough that she sometimes spent quiet minutes in her own mind, just appreciating it.

But the intensity in his eyes now as he leaned over her and made her vow to remember the way he loved her, the turmoil in his voice… when he finally leaned down and let their bodies rest together, a shudder wracked her from head to toe, her breath jumping in her chest as if being skin-to-skin with him was electricity to her bones.

She felt charged, shimmering with love and fear, passion and grief. Her fingers shook when she raised her hands to claw her fingers into his hair and pull him down to kiss her. Her entire skin trembled with tension and desire. Then Gahrye whispered,

"Are you ready?

" and she nodded, not trusting her voice.

Then, without warning, he took her, the mating call vibrating in his chest against hers as he entered her in one long, slow slide that she felt to the soles of her feet.

Kalle's head dropped back and she didn't breathe until he was pulling back out, almost the entire way, then whispering,

"I love you, Kalle,

" as he rolled slowly back into her.

Slowly, tenderly, carefully, intentionally, he took her again and again making certain she felt every inch, every stroke. No press of the lips too quick, no touch without purpose. Everything expanded—she would have sworn she could feel the swirls of his fingerprints when he kneaded her breast, could feel every hair on his jaw when he ducked to kiss her throat, could feel the very texture of his skin when they rolled together.

And still, he kept the pace slow, punishingly slow.

It was as if her skin rose to meet him, expanded to include him, as if she could feel him not only within her, but through her—a shuddering, delicious wave of sensation that had her panting and yearning, stretching for release, sweating and near begging for more. And yet, the room was silent except for their heavy breaths.

The roll of his hips barely increased, but he held her at the peak of each one, his tiny gasps becoming grunts, becoming the breaking groans of a male on the edge. And still he didn't let go.

She couldn't put words to the sensations that bubbled to the surface of her skin.

He'd only opened his mouth over her nipple and sucked, yet lights flashed behind her eyelids and her breath rushed in.

She put a hand flat to his chest and felt his heartbeat pounding against her palm. It was all at once, exactly right and excruciatingly intimate to feel it speed up when she kissed his chin, his jaw, then his neck when he groaned and dropped his head.

Minutes, hours later and they rolled together as one, in perfect harmony, Kalle's breath coming in short gasps as she reached for that glistening wave of pleasure that beckoned just out of sight.

Gahrye had begun to tremble and grunt, yet still he didn't unleash.

"I love you,

" she whispered against his lips, arching to meet him.

"I love you,

" he rasped, rolling into her and groaning with the sheer pleasure of it.

His breath fluttered across her cheek and she could taste the adoration on it. His hand pressed into the skin of her ribs and she could feel the yearning in him.

Then, as his control began to break, while he fought desperately to hold onto it, she shook her head.

"Let go, my love,

" she whispered.

"Let go and love me.

" She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself up, into his kiss, into the thrusting of his hips, now jagged, pace increasing. She tasted his desperation, his fear of leaving her, and she took it, offering her comfort, her love in return.

She felt his grief, and gave her joy.

She tasted his rage, and offered her certainty.

Then, as that beautiful wave broke inside her, washing every inch of her with prickling, thrilling pleasure that cracked her chest open and offered her heart, she clutched at his back and cried her love and admiration of him as he began to shake, groaning her name like a plea.

They hung there together for a half a breath—a silent, perfect eye in the storm that held only their hearts, their love, and their souls—then they both crashed back to reality, tumbling back to the bed, panting and Kalle sobbing his name.

And despite the tearing breaths and shaking bodies, they did nothing but cling and hold and remember, freezing the moment in their minds and pleading for more, even as they both knew their moments were growing short.

Gahrye had slumped with his face in her neck, his back rising and falling under her hands, the sheen of his sweat leaving salt on her lips. He trembled, still, panting her name, then began to roll, to take his own weight so he wouldn't crush her, but Kalle clung to him, shaking her head, insisting that he stay right there, pinning her to the bed with his weight.

And he gave in, sliding both his hands, palm up, under her head so she rested in his grip, then lifting his head only far enough to meet her eyes.

His hair fell over his forehead, almost into his eyes, framing his beautiful face. She put her palms to his cheeks and just stared, letting her thumbs stroke the prickling stubble he hadn't yet shaved, letting her nails catch it, memories the texture, the sound, the smell of him there so close, the way it tasted when their breaths mingled.

And neither of them said

"I love you,

" but she knew he felt it just as strongly as she did, as if their bodies said it instead.

I love you.

I will miss you.

You are my life.

I don't know how I'll live without you.

But I will, because then I will see you again.

I will be here. Always.

Forever.

*****

GOLDEN TICKETS = MASS RELEASE!

The new month begins on NovelFull TODAY.. Do you have any Golden Tickets? If you choose to give them here, your tickets count towards our tally for a mass release in the middle of the month! For every 200 tickets I'll add a chapter to the mass release! So hit that vote button below, then

"Golden Tickets

" to contribute. And, as always, THANK YOU! Your support is genuinely appreciated and touches my heart every day!