Sidney fell asleep in Jayson's arms. When she woke up, she found herself lying in bed, and he was in the bathroom taking a shower. Sidney rubbed her sleepy eyes, sat up, and saw Jayson walking out naked except for his underwear. He wasn't wearing a bathrobe, just climbed into bed, stretched out comfortably, and then lay on his pillow, closing his eyes as he asked, "Why are you awake?"
Sidney gazed at the tattoo on his back and shook her head. "No, I didn't hear anything. I just woke up suddenly." Her warm fingertips couldn't resist gently tracing the tattoo, starting with the fierce demon head, moving down to the body, and then following the swirling black clouds as she touched the intricate details.
"Are the demon horns red?"
"Those are horns stained with fresh blood."
"Do you like tattoos?" she said. "You must be into them to have such a big design on your back."
"When I was younger, I just got tattoos because my friends were doing it. After I got the first one, I didn't like how it looked, so I covered it up with a bigger piece."
Sidney smiled. "Even you had a rebellious phase?"
"Who hasn't?" He turned over, grabbing her hand as she fumbled, "Do you know what you're implying by doing that?"
"I'm not implying anything! I'm just curious," Sidney said, pulling her hand back and lying down at the edge of the bed.
Jayson reached over with one hand, pulling her back toward him. He held her from behind, letting her lean against him as his hands roamed her body.
"What are you doing?!" Sidney struggled.
In a few swift moves, he had her clothes disheveled, his hands gliding over her soft skin. His lips brushed against the back of her neck, sending a shiver through her—both a sensation of tingling warmth and a faint ache. Sidney couldn't suppress a gasp as he turned her toward him, her face flushed with embarrassment, not daring to meet his gaze. He lowered his head, claiming her lips with his, while his hands roamed over her body. A soft, helpless sound escaped her lips, barely audible, as he tangled with her more urgently. He caught her hand, pressing it against the heat of his body, urging her closer...
Sidney was scared, wanting to pull her hand away, but he held it firmly.
With one hand, he teased her, and she trembled beneath his touch, struggling to catch her breath as he ignited a fire within her. Her nightgown was torn away effortlessly, and he moved to kneel on either side of her, his gaze dropping to her flushed face, a look of quiet dominance in his eyes. He then shed his own underwear, and Sidney, both curious and shy, couldn't help but let her gaze trail down his sculpted abs, her breath hitching as she took in the sight.
There was a tattoo on his side, running from his waist to his groin, the vines twisting and curling as if they were embracing him. Sidney reached out, drawn to the intricate design, but before she could touch it, he leaned in, his body pressing down on hers. His kiss was fierce, yet tender, consuming her with a passion that was both wild and unyielding. His hands tore away the simple, white fabric of her lingerie, his body rubbing against hers as she melted like ice in hot water—slowly at first, then all at once, her desire building, her senses ablaze. She felt herself floating, rising higher, as if carried on a cloud. And then, at the peak of their union, as he took her completely, a cry escaped her lips. He kissed her fiercely, silencing her with his mouth as tears streamed down her face. She knew, in that moment, she couldn't escape him. The vines of his tattoo seemed to move with him, spinning her into a dizzying trance. This man, she realized, would be her world.
Sidney was truly exhausted this time. After Jayson finally had his fill, she couldn't even summon the energy to put her clothes back on. She pulled the covers around her and sank into a deep, peaceful sleep. Perhaps it was the sheer fatigue, or maybe it was the weight lifting from her heart, but this was the first time she fell asleep so easily, so soundly, so sweetly—untroubled by dreams.
