Geomancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 5)

“You have no idea how manipulative Juan can be.”

He pressed down gently, comforted by the beat of her heart under his palm. “I know you feel responsible for him, but he’s turning into a man. You have to let go a little.”

She tensed under his touch. “Letting him stay here is not a good idea.”

“I agree. That’s not what I’m talking about, but not letting him have a beer?” He raised a brow. “He’s anyway doing it behind your back. You know that, right?”

Her cheeks flushed. “No, he’s not. I won’t condone what’s against the law just because he thinks it’s okay to break the rules.”

“Rules are good,” he said gently, “but they’re also meant to be adapted as children grow.”

“Are you saying I’m doing a bad job with him?”

“No, lass, but here’s the thing about guys—no young man wants another man to witness his older sister controlling him. At seventeen, I had a beer with my old man in the pub every weekend. It didn’t make me think any less of him. Just ease up a bit on the lad. Let him have his fun for a day or two. By then, I’m sure he’ll take off on his own.”

“Staying with Tammy?”

“You think he’s a virgin?”

“Of course he is!”

“I wouldn’t bet my money on it.”

She lifted on her elbows, bringing her face close enough for a kiss. “You think he…?” She fell back with a flop and covered her face with her hands. “I’ve failed him, haven’t I? I haven’t even had the talk with him.” She fanned her fingers and peeked at him from between the gaps. “Should I have bought him condoms?”

“Lass,” he groaned. “I think he’s old enough to buy his own condoms.” He kissed her nose. “But you’re very sweet.”

An ache filled the hollow crevice of his chest for a sister who’d once cared that much about him, a sister he’d let down.

She touched his cheek, pulling his gaze back to her. “Sean, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He cupped his hand over hers to guard the contact. He rubbed his jaw in her palm just to feel her skin like a salve on pieces of him that could never heal.

She drew his head down to hers. Her lips were sweet and giving. The coolness of her breath mixed with the heat of his and stirred a part of his body he’d sworn wasn’t interested in having her in his bed, at least not this time. This was about her, not him, but as always, his dick took notice the minute she pushed her hands up his back under his T-shirt. He rolled on top of her and put his full weight down, just for a moment, to savor the shape of her breasts and hips. The junction between her legs was warm and soft, a perfect resting place for his hard cock. He grinded down, reveling in the feeling.

“I’m heavy,” he whispered against her lips, easing up.

When she tangled her tongue with his, he almost forgot what he wanted to say. His breath escaped in a low hiss.

Pulling back to look at her, he said, “This wasn’t my intention. I just wanted to hold you.” And prove to her she was more than an object to him.

She arched her back, flattening her breasts against his chest. “It’s my intention.”

He groaned. “Ah, kitten. You’re not making this easy for me.”

“Fuck me.”

“No.”

“You always want to.” She speared her fingers through his hair. “Why not now?”

“Because I’m trying to show you that this is about more than sex.”

Her gaze softened. “That’s sweet.”

“Sweet isn’t the word I’d choose to describe myself.”

“I need this, Sean. No strings attached. No talk about feelings. I promise. Just fucking. Please.”

How could he deny her? He’d never be able to say no to her. Anything she wanted was hers. Sitting up, he conceded with a chaste kiss on her lips. “You win, lass, but we do this my way.”

Her lips titled into a teasing smile. “I’m not sure my backside is ready.”

“Don’t worry.” He unbuttoned her blouse. “Your ass is safe.”

Gods of the arts had mercy. She wasn’t wearing a bra. Resisting the urge to fondle and kiss those curves, he made quick work of getting rid of her shorts and panties before getting naked, too.

He stretched out on top of her, pressing their bodies together. The mere feeling of her naked skin against his had him shivering with pleasure. She raised her arms above her head in a surrendering gesture. It wasn’t the first time she’d given him her trust. Guilt ate like acid into his gut. He didn’t deserve her trust, but he was too weak a man not to take it. Both he and Cain were deceiving her, but he couldn’t tell her and risk losing her before he’d even convinced her she was his. No, he’d fix that problem if it was the last thing he did, and they’d get on with their lives. They’d never have to look back at this nightmare of a week. He’d have the rest of their lives to make her forget. Yeah. That was what he’d do.