"Would you like me to?" One wing-hand settled onto my thigh, his long fingers curling around my leg and the deadly-sharp talons whispering against my skin. "I think I could give a good showing only for a short while, given how intoxicating I find you, but if you've changed your mind about that sort of eternity in my absence I am happy to be overwhelmed." His voice took on a tone of hesitation as he said the words, and he brushed his thumb against my jaw as I looked at him with big eyes and my chin ducked. "And if not, I will simply enjoy the fact that you were pleased enough to have me back as to shove me between your thighs and hold me there while you came from it."

My pulse pounded between my legs, demanding. "I..." The word wavered, and I licked my lips. "It's too easy for me to... forget," I said, something like shame warring with my desire. "You make it really easy to forget."

The thumb of his wing-hand brushed along my leg. "Haven't I said I don't want to push you into anything?" Dain said, without any teasing at all, all gentleness and fond affection. "I only want to claim your forever if you desire to have mine. If you want to hold us apart for the rest of our year and a day, and it's easier for you to do when we are not tangled together, then we won't tangle together." He leaned forward and pressed his mouth softly to my forehead. "But," Dain added, with a bit of wicked amusement. "If you intend to sleep in my bed with me tonight, I think I ought to be less naked, and would appreciate it if you changed your undergarments."

I blushed again, my cheeks going hot and tight. I'd managed, incredibly, to forget that Dain was currently naked, and that his whole expanse was mine for the claiming if I wanted it. "That sounds good," I squeaked out, to the sound of his rich laughter.

Dain rolled over and got off the bed, padding over towards his wardrobes, and I scurried off to my rooms to do the same. My uncooperative hands grabbed a pair of lacy nothings for underwear and I made myself put them back, hunting out a pair of boxer briefs instead. It would be beyond cruel to jerk Dain back and forth, when he struggled so much with handling rejection. That he was fine accepting me wanting him so badly for one night, and stepping back from it after that, was an enormous relief.

By the time I made it back, Dain was already back in bed, sprawled facedown. I scooted over to him and he draped his wing-arm over me, his hand settling onto my shoulder. Dain laced his fingers through mine, and brought my hand to his face to brush a soft kiss across my knuckles.