Page 76 of Infernal Secrets

“Good.” I tightened my hold around her back and tucked my other hand beneath my head as my tense muscles relaxed. “I do believe he’s physically attracted to you, so if you touched his horns again, he’d react.”

“Oh. Well, I don’t plan on doing that again.” She stayed quiet for a bit before asking, “Are horns the only difference between us?”

“There are a lot of differences between Shyrlivi and humans.”

She tapped my chest. “You know what I mean.”

“There aren’t any other physical differences that directly affect sex except our horns. Intercourse works the same. Everything else comes down to personal preferences.”

“What’s that mean?”

“Like things we enjoy with a partner. You know, things you like done to you might differ from what another woman likes.”

“Oh.” She tucked her face against my side.

“I don’t mean to embarrass you,” I said, toying with her long hair. “Just answering your questions. If it’s too much, I’ll stop.”

Our casual conversation made me realize she didn’t lack sexual maturity. When the subject shifted to her, she seemed hesitant—maybe inexperienced.

“No, not really. I’m not naïve.”

I leaned back, brow raised, teasing.

“I’m not!” She swatted my chest again, enough to sting.

I kind of liked this new dynamic. I wasn’t a masochist, but her being comfortable enough to swat at me made me feel… special.

Like her comfort with me lowered her walls.

“Sure thing.” I chuckled. “Whatever you say.”

When she smacked my arm and tried to roll away, I turned on my side and wrapped both arms around her, pulling her close again. “I’m only teasing.”

Her forehead met my chest, and she released a breathy laugh.

I’d never felt so carefree as I did in her bed, the moonlight making everything feel intimate. For once, I didn’t have to think of my duty. The only thing I needed to worry about was the woman in my arms.

How many years had it been since I held a woman this way?

She didn’t lift her head when she said, “I’m shy, but I’m not inexperienced.”

I lifted a hand to touch her hair, and she tilted her head back to look up at me. My thumb brushed over her forehead, and her eyelids fluttered. “There’s nothing wrong with that,” I whispered, my touch trailing over her cheek and across her lower lip.

“Ash,” she murmured as I lowered my face to hers.

When her eyes closed, I brushed my lips over hers in a soft kiss.

Nyrith.

The word echoed in my head as my heart skipped a beat. I squeezed my eyes shut, withdrawing from her lips before I made the mistake of deepening the kiss.

Before she questioned my withdrawal, I rolled onto my back and tucked her against me. “Let’s try to get some sleep. It’s been a difficult day, and you need rest.” I tried to sound lighter than I felt.

Resting her hand on my chest, she shifted to get comfortable, sighing softly as her body relaxed against mine.

I valued whatever ground we’d gained tonight too much to ruin it with a quick fuck. And deep down, I knew it wouldn’t end there if I crossed that line.

I’d sworn an oath to protect Elyrdin and my brothers.