Jenna pressed her back to the cold wood, her breath uneven. She hadn't made a choice. Not aloud. But her body…? Her body had betrayed her long ago. She told herself it meant nothing. The way he touched her. The way her knees buckled when he spoke.
It was just power. And she would take it back, soon. Before he ruined her entirely. And taking it back meant she needed to leave!
"Your silence means you agree with my choice," Rhane began to open the door, but Jenna turned around immediately, using her body to block the entrance.
"Your room!" Jenna squealed, grabbing Rhane's forearm in an attempt to stop him from moving even further.
Rhane's lips curled into a grin, and he nodded slowly. "Let's go then, darling." He took two steps back, enough space for her to breathe.
Jenna shuddered, rubbing her chest subconsciously.
Rhane drank in her expression. She smelled like crushed petals and fear. A scent Rhane could wrap around his fingers and keep forever. He hadn't meant to take it that far. But then, she looked back at him, trembling and breathless, and all he saw was red. And he wanted to trap that look under him until they were both spent.
Putting his hand forward, Rhane waited for Jenna to take it.
Jenna slipped her hand into his, and at that same moment, Rhane locked it under his arm, as if sealing her fate with it. Jenna could hear her own heart drumming against her ear, each step a reminder that she would be kissing Rhane soon.
Getting to Rhane's door, Jenna gulped softly, her free hand gripping her trousers tightly.
Rhane pushed the door to his room open, then gestured for Jenna to enter first after releasing her hand.
Jenna brought her hands together and squeezed them, like a chicken walking into the lion's den. She entered the room, with Rhane following behind her.
Rhane locked the door and pocketed the key. He couldn't help but smile, watching Jenna's shaky legs struggle to make it inside the room without falling.
Jenna jumped into bed, grabbed the blanket, and used it to cover her face. She would force herself to fall asleep before Rhane even came to bed. That way, he would forget about the kiss and let her be!
"You won't sleep on my bed in those," Rhane reminded.
Jenna didn't wait to be told twice. She grabbed her nightgown and slipped behind the divider. Her fingers fumbled with the fabric, too fast, too clumsy. She changed quickly, her breaths uneven, the cotton of her nightdress sticking to her damp skin. When she returned to the bed, she moved like someone stepping onto thin ice.
Rhane circled the room, slowly undoing his shirt buttons. Not once did his eyes leave Jenna, who had curled herself on the bed. As he removed each piece of clothing, he did it noisily so Jenna could hear the sound.
Jenna pushed down the blanket just low enough for her eyes to be visible. And she watched, just as she had the first time she saw Rhane bathing innocently. The first time she felt the urge to run her fingers over his body and feel his body on hers.
Jenna still remembered it like it was yesterday. She couldn't bear to look away not until Rhane entered the bed. Jenna pretended again to be fast asleep.
"I left my breeches on, so as not to scare you," Rhane snuffed the candles, then entered the bed, and Jenna pulled away, almost falling off the bed.
"Come back in between the sheets, Jenna," Rhane said in a low voice.
Jenna moved, still with her eyes closed, back into the sheets with her back turned against Rhane. The room was now very dark, but Jenna could feel Rhane's weight on the bed.
When Rhane moved closer to her, Jenna's breath caught in her throat.
"Please... Rhane... don't—"
"I won't," Rhane stopped her mid-sentence.
Jenna listened closely to his warm and deep breathing.
"If you turn right now, I'm going to kiss you. Just a kiss, I promise. As long as you don't struggle. Alright?"
Jenna turned slowly. "What if you—"
"Not a bloody thing will I do to you, except kiss you. Understand?" Rhane asked, gently, but his voice was strong. "Answer me, Jenna. Tell me you understand."
"Y... yes," Jenna nodded slowly. "Do we have to?"
Ignoring Jenna, Rhane rolled to his side. Not a single attempt to touch her or press his body on her, but Jenna could feel it. The passion. The tension... the heat.
"First time I kissed you, I was rough. Clouded by anger and madness. But it won't be the same this time." Rhane traced his fingertips along Jenna's chin, then he tipped forward.
A soft peck on her lips, a kiss so fading, yet lingering.
"Lovely," Rhane whispered against Jenna's closed lips. "If you part your lips now, I'll deepen the kiss."
Jenna didn't move her lips, not because she didn't want to. She was terrified. Not of him, but of how much she wanted to obey. A man had never spoken so softly to her while in bed. He was asking her, telling her, teaching her what to do. It made Jenna's stomach turn, and it scared her. The feeling was so overwhelming, and it truly scared her.
"Part your lips, Jenna. Do what I tell you," Rhane instructed again. Not once did he raise his voice.
Jenna slowly parted her lips, though her eyes darted around Rhane's face. Fear mostly clouded her mind, then curiosity about what happens next.
Rhane slipped his tongue into her open and vulnerable mouth and deepened the kiss. The fresh warm taste of him and Jenna, mixed with the softness of their lips pressing deeply.
"This feels even better, Jenna," Rhane muttered with a small smile.
Jenna swallowed. Her mind had become really muddled with different thoughts. All she could think about presently was Rhane kissing her. His mouth was hot. Not soft. Rhane wasn't made of softness. His kiss should bruise. Leave a mark. He'd hold her chin, tilt her head just so he could kiss her deeper and forcefully...
Was all Jenna had imagined when Rhane spoke about kissing. But it wasn't what was happening.
"Hush... stop shaking. I won't hurt you," Rhane spoke against Jenna's lips. He gathered her in his arms, afraid he was beginning to hurt her. The truth was, Rhane didn't know if he was the one shaking or Jenna was.
Jenna tried to stop herself, but she couldn't. Her throat bubbled. Fear clashed with pleasure. Enjoying a kiss without being hit. Not once did Rhane raise his hand but had surrendered on her own will to each of his commands. She'd obeyed.
Sucking her lower lip, Rhane moved back slowly before letting her go. He slowly covered her with a blanket.
"Sleep now, love," Rhane pecked her hair, then patted her gently. He knew Jenna was still hurting, and her heart was frozen, but melting her softly with the sweetest kind of love was his duty.
"Sleep, love."