The release seemed to go on forever, slow and throbbing, extending down to my toes and up into my head, erasing all the heartache for the moment and replacing it with a pure, bright understanding that this was right. This was exactly what my body was designed for. Khell was a part of me. I didn't feel my bindings, the awkward strain of my body, the messy bed I was lying on. No, there was only the lovely pulse of relief and the knowledge that I was right where I ought to be, held by exactly whom I was meant to be held by.

And then, abruptly and while I was still shuddering, Khell pulled free of me.

I blinked and whined, the sound choked off as the tension of my legs was interrupted and they flopped to the mattress, liberated from the spreader. As quick as he'd put me on my belly, Khell turned me again, my back finding an uncomfortably wet spot on the bed, his arms cradling me so I wasn't lying on my still cuffed wrists.

Khell was looming over me, lowering himself until the image of him was blurry, too close to be studied, his hot forehead against mine.

"Close your eyes, Sunny."

I was well-trained now, and they fell shut at the command. Khell's lips were my reward, almost as chapped as my own and twice as hungry. He purred above me, but the sound was ragged, the vibration rough in my mouth as his tongue slipped in, searching and licking for every flavor of me.

I wanted to say the words to him, tell him what I'd thought while he'd fucked me, as if I might make 'I love you' sound like a joke. Would he say it back for the sake of our games, our arranged roles? Would it be sweet to hear, even if I knew it was a lie?

Khell's kiss was endless, thorough, as he nibbled and licked, fucking my mouth with his tongue and then retreating to brush his lips and tusks against me. I took every touch, soaked up our flavors mixed together, tried to return to that hazy perfect place where I couldn't find the edges between us.

I gasped as he pulled away, my lungs remembering their need for oxygen now that my lips were deprived of my orc.

"Keep them closed, my pretty petal," Khell rasped.

I nodded obediently as Khell put me on my side, giving my bound arms space. The bed jostled as he rose, and I shivered in place until a blanket covered me. Sweet orc, I thought, smiling. What game was next? How much time did we have? If it wasn't long, I would've rather we spent it together in the bed, touching in any way.