Original Dialogue Prompt: "I need you to stay."
It's nearing 2 am when your eyes find your clock but the lateness doesn't bother you; In fact, you welcome it. It's the woman in your arms that worries you. The way she's draped across you, skin against skin, body aching just as deliciously as yours, that's what's got your mind racing.
You can tell by the way her breath is steady and slow that she's likely almost asleep; you can't let her though. Because there are rules. Rules you agreed to when you first started this arrangement - because that's what it is, an arrangement - and you really can't break them, for both your sakes.
"Rafferty."
You say her name quietly, trailing your fingers up and down her spine, and watch carefully as she stirs, burying her face in your chest before looking up to meet your eyes in the darkness.
There's confusion there, an innocence you've only seen glimpses of before, so you explain before she has a chance to ask, "You were falling asleep."
She sits up then, her back to you, sheet clutched to her chest.
"Right," she sighs. "No sleepovers."
"Hey," you say, sitting up and hugging your knees to your chest. "You made the rules. I'm just following them."
"To protect you," she snaps, meeting your eyes over her shoulder. You know it's true. She'd explained it the first time you slept together, that she needed intimacy, that she needed sex, that she trusted you but emotions had to stay out of it. She didn't want you to fall when she knew she couldn't be what you needed. You'd agreed anyway, knowing full well you were already falling.
It's different now though. It's still rough and passionate and hot, but she kisses you differently. She holds you closer before climbing out of bed, takes just a little bit longer to recover before letting you go, and you think maybe now the rules are as useless as ever.
You watch as she climbs out of your bed and gathers her clothes, completely unaware of the internal conflict her actions have instilled within you. She's pulling her shirt over her head when you finally reach a decision.
"I need you to stay."
She pauses, turning to face you once again.
"It's late and it's freezing outside, I need you to stay."
It's not really a lie but it's definitely an excuse and the look in her eyes tells you she knows exactly what you're doing. She takes the out you're giving her though, stripping back down and settling in against you. You're almost surprised she didn't pretend to protest but the "thank you" mumbled into your shoulder tells you the thought never even crossed her mind.