Chapter 8



Incredulous, Sora sat back to look at her — and realized that her

breath had evened into the deep meter of sleep. A smile curled his

mouth and an invisible fist squeezed his heart. She worked so hard,

exhausting herself to prove — more to herself than anyone else —

that she could do it all. She may not be as physically strong as

most men, but she made up for that with sheer determination.

Sora patted her bottom before reaching for the extra quilt and

pulling it over her. He settled on his back beside her and eased her

into his arms. The stars were accommodating tonight, a million of

them lending light to show the perfection of her features, her

tipped up nose, her pointed too-stubborn chin, the tiny scar above

her right eyebrow that she'd gotten falling out of a tree. He

visually traced every line of her face, though they were already

imprinted in his memory, as much a part of him as his own features.

A light breeze ruffled her pale hair and she shivered, then snuggled

closer to his side, wanting his warmth. Her bare leg slid across his

abdomen, her knee nudged his groin. Sora gritted his teeth and

concentrated on the constellations.

Kairi murmured in her sleep, and her arm reached across him. Her hand

landed on his mouth, her breath drifted over his nipple, her hair

teased his skin.

To hell with this, Sora decided, suddenly so aroused again he felt

near the bursting point. A man could only take so much provocation

before he totally lost his control. He looked down at Kairi, ready to

give in, ready to seduce her if necessary so that he could stake his

claim and end his torment.

Her soft snore brought him up short.

He stared, disbelieving that a woman could so easily arouse him in

her damn sleep! But there was no denying it, he was hard as iron,

and she was out cold.

Sora dropped his head back with a self-deprecating groan. Just as

well, he decided, trying to see the upside to having a naked,

desirable woman beside him while being relegated to mere sleep. He

needed her to want him with the same fierceness that he felt. He

wanted her to crave him, and only him — for a lifetime.

For now, he'd give her anything and everything she wanted. And when

her birthday ended, he wanted Kairi to want to be his wife, with no

regrets, no hesitation. He wanted to hear her tell him that she

loved him, not that she was just curious about sex.

Her snores grew louder, making him smile despite the insistent

throbbing in his body.

Kairi liked this sex business; even in her sleep, she sought out a

sexual connection. He could use that to make her see the emotional

connection as well. Being her first in every way would prove to her

what a special relationship they had.

The next few days would be a hell of a lot fun — if he lived through

them!