When the air around her seemed to thicken and drag on her body, she figured she’d reached her limit. She returned to Rendor’s office. Disappointed that the sleeping cushion was empty, she kicked off her boots and crawled under the fur.

Sometime later, warmth invaded her uneasy dreams and a solid presence pulled her close. She sighed and melted against him. Her worries soothed.

She woke wrapped in his arms with her head on his bare chest. Taking a moment to breathe in his scent and listen to the steady rhythm of his heart, she kept still. Then she ran a hand over the muscles of his stomach. His heartbeat increased its pace. So did hers as she explored the hard planes, her fingers dipping toward his waist.

Shyla lifted her head and met his gaze.

“I hope we never stop meeting like this,” he said, then he kissed her.

Heat spread throughout her body as she deepened it, drinking in the taste of him. He groaned and his hands snaked underneath her tunic, resting on her back. His touch burned her skin. They kissed until breathless.

When they broke apart, Shyla sat up and plucked at her tunic. It chafed on her overly sensitive skin. She wanted it off.

Rendor took her hands in his, stilling them. His expression was a combination of desire and concern. “We can take it slow.”

“Remember when you said I didn’t know everything? Before you kissed me that first time?”

Confusion flashed on his face, but he nodded.

“Then afterwards you said that kiss was just the beginning.”

“You have a very good memory.”

“I do.”

“Do you also have a point?” he teased.

“I do.” She smiled. “You were right. I don’t know everything and I want to learn what comes after a kiss like that.”

Fire ignited in his gaze as he pulled her close and kissed her again, sending pulses of desire straight to her core.

“I think…” he breathed. “That your education…will be extensive.” His lips brushed her neck. “And require…multiple sessions.” Rendor nibbled on her earlobe.

She gasped, surprised by the intense spike of passion that speared her.

“You’ve much to…learn.” He pulled off her tunic and drew her close.

Shyla’s breasts brushed against his chest. Shivers raced along her skin. “Teach me.”

Rendor taught her how a touch could make her heart race and her body tremble. But most of all, with his words and actions, he showed her why the joining together of two people was called making love.

Much later, Shyla lay entangled with Rendor. She watched his chest expand and contract with each breath as he slept. The powerful and stubborn man had shown incredible gentleness. She suppressed the desire to wake him up for another lesson. He needed to rest. So did she, but her body hummed with the aftereffects of pleasure. Eventually, she drifted into a light sleep.