ETAN

He must have dozed.

When they'd finally rested, he'd been overwhelmed, trembling with awe at having her, at her desire for him. He'd curled himself around her, pulling her into his chest, and she'd come willingly, resting her head on his shoulder, one hand tracing the lines of his chest. Neither of them had spoken for minutes, lost in thoughts. In memories. In hope.

He thought he'd remained awake, but after what seemed only a moment, he blinked, and suddenly found her propped up on one elbow, staring down at him. The lantern in the corner was still lit, he realized. But Ayleth didn't seem to care. She sat on her hip, her knees bent and lower legs pressed against his thigh. Her hair fell around her shoulders, tumbling over her breasts which were pushed forward because she leaned on her arm. Her rosy nipples were peaked, though not as they had been when…

Etan swallowed and pulled his eyes up to her face. He didn't want to scare her. She was likely quite sore. But before he could ask he just took in the sight of her. He'd never seen her so… mussed. Her skin so pale next to his own, but pinched with blooms of pink where she was warm.

"Are you well, wife?" he asked softly.

Her smile bloomed at the word. "I am very well, husband," she said. "Are you warm enough?" she asked tilting her head so her hair fell down to brush his shoulder.

"Yes, are you?" He started to push up on his elbows. They were still atop the quilt. Being summer, the cottage was quite warm, but she was much smaller than him. Perhaps—

"No, no, lay down." She said, putting her hand to his shoulder to stop him rising. Though her fingers stroked where they rested. "I asked because I would like to look at you some more. But I wasn't sure if you would need a blanket now that you're awake."

Etan grinned and dropped a kiss to her lips before he lay back down, one arm under his head. "I'm fine," he said. "Please, look to your hearts content." He indicated himself with his free hand, raising his eyebrows. Her eyes twinkled in response.

"I wish to do more than look," she said dryly, "but for now…" she trailed off, tapping her lip with one finger and scanning him from head to toe. He prayed she didn't notice his cock twitch every time her gaze passed over it, but given the light that flashed in her eyes, he gave up on that hope.

"You are so… large," she said. He had to stifle a chuckle. She was still amusingly unaware of the double meaning in her words. Oblivious to his thoughts, she trailed her fingers along his shoulder that was nearest to her. "Your bones are longer. Your body taller. And all these muscles. I do not understand. I fight as you do. I ride as you do. And yet…" She flipped her hair back to look at her own shoulder, and her breasts jiggled. Etan swallowed a groan. "See. I am tiny compared to you," she said, frustrated.

"You have the same muscles, Ayleth, they're simply smaller."

"But why? When we do the same training?"

Etan shrugged. "It's the way we were created."

She nodded thoughtfully, returning to his chest, her finger running along his collarbone. Her touch was light, but not suggestive. Yet his breath quickened just because she was there and naked and… Lord he wanted her again.

She trailed her hand down his stomach, following the line of his sternum, then across his ribs, her fingers rippling over his stomach as she followed the muscles there. "Your strength draws me, Etan," she said breathlessly. "I do not know why, because you are so gentle with me. And I would not wish for you to be another way. But it is as if… as if your strength means something to me." She frowned, unsatisfied with the words.

"And you draw me Ayleth," he said, his voice a low husk because he was becoming more aroused every second. "Your skin is so soft. It tastes different to mine. And your hair… everything about you draws me."

She met his eyes then, smiling. "I wish we could stay here forever," she whispered.

Etan nodded and used a finger to push of strand back from her breast so he could see it better. "I do too. Though I doubt our men would stand for it since they're sleeping on hay tonight."

But Ayleth was already distracted, her fingers at his hip now. His cock rose and she smiled, but didn't touch it. He couldn't decide if that was a good thing or not. Instead, she trailed her fingers down his thigh, running her nails lightly across the hair there, and smiling.

"You have a lot more hair on your body than I, as well," she observed, letting her gaze avoid the apex of his thighs, and instead looking at his armpit and the smattering of hair on his chest."

"You have the hair also, Ayleth," he said smugly. "It's just finer."

Her cheeks pinked when he rolled to his side and dragged his fingers up her thigh, raising goosebumps on her skin.

She drew in a deep breath. "I have been touched by people my entire life, Etan. Dressed, fed, managed… no one's touch has ever affected me as yours does."

"Well, praise the Father for that," he whispered, propping up on one arm to take her mouth. She smiled into the kiss, but closed her eyes and gave over to him, her hands at his neck and shoulders, still exploring.

He'd only meant to kiss her, to enjoy her, but the kiss deepened quickly, and then her hand appeared on him, stroking hesitantly. He caught her wrist quickly, stopping her and she pulled away.

"Was that not the right way?" she asked, frustrated.

"Oh, it was the right way, Ayleth," he muttered dryly. "But I want to save that for… for when we can make love again."

"Can we not do that now?" Her brows puckered in confusion. "Mother explained that men need breaks, but I understood when you were still young that your little nap was probably enough. Unless you have trouble—"

"No, no trouble," Etan rushed in, half-delighted, half-embarrassed that she would speak so openly. "I only… are you not sore?"

She shrugged. "A little. But… before… it faded as we… did that. I would like to try again soon, if you're able." She looked up at him then, seeking his lead, her eyes utterly guileless. "We have only hours until our lives will change completely, Etan. I do not want to spend that time discussing taxes. I want to explore you. Know you. Be with you."

She took his breath away. He shook his head. "I do not deserve you, Ayleth," he murmured, cupping her face.

"I think you do not understand what you deserve," she replied simply and put her hand on him again. "This time," she said between kisses to his collarbones that made him want to groan. "You must tell me how to make it good for you."

"Trust me, Ayleth," he groaned. "That part is already under control."