Right Through Me (The Obsidian Files #1)(111)

Noah couldn’t get an answer out. He hunched over, fists clenched. Caro tried several times before she could speak. “We—we’re—we’re fine,” she called out.

“Noah?” There was a harder tone in Sisko’s voice.

“We’re good,” Noah called out. “Lamp fell. No problem.”

He was horrified at what he’d almost done. For years he’d thought he’d licked this. He was wrong. One bad imbed, and he was nailed right back to the wall. Falling to pieces before her eyes.

Caro was huddled on the floor. Afraid of him.

Desperately, he slid off the bed onto his knees and seized her. He nuzzled her silky hair, inhaling its silken, perfumed warmth. The sensory data of her perfume formed incredible visuals in his mind. Even with eyes shut, she dazzled him. His whole body was a wide-open eye, worshipping her.

He held her tighter. God.

“Sorry I yelled,” he muttered. “It scared me, that I almost hit you.”

Her hands slid into his hair, petting and soothing him. “I’m sorry, too. That I startled you. Was it . . . what do you call it again? An imbed?”

“Yeah. My analogs are all compromised. Even new ones. Don’t know why.”

“Tell me about it,” she suggested. “Maybe it would help.”

“No.”

Her fingers stopped for a moment, and then resumed their slow, soothing caresses. “OK,” she murmured. “Whatever.”

He should have sent her away days ago. He’d kept her for his own comfort. And not just for the sex. She kept him balanced. His pre-Caro equilibrium was trashed. If he couldn’t keep the combat program under control with his analogs, then proximity to Caro was his only alternative. She reinforced the underlying structures inside him so that the ASP and AVP could rage full force without driving him nuts. He retained his capacity for rational thought, impulse control. Decision making.

With Caro, AVP was a powerful resource, not a caged monster.

But she had to go. He’d have to stay on top of the AVP without her. Unchilled. Unsoothed. No diving. He had no idea how he’d pull it off. He was terrified to f*ck things up. Let them all down. Get them all killed.

He was ashamed to have Caro see him in this condition. His own fault, for keeping her here.

They ought to get up off the goddamn floor at the very least. The bed was a whole lot softer.

He got up and onto the bed, fully intending to sit her right next to him.

She sat down on his lap, before he could stop her. His body’s reaction was instantaneous.

She kissed his forehead, shifting and wiggling her ass over his stiff, aching cock. Her lips were so soft. Light bloomed on his skin like bioluminescence wherever she touched him. She kissed his lips, her tender tongue flicking against his.

He pulled away, and slid her off his lap and onto the bed beside him. “Bad idea,” he said roughly.

“Bullshit!”

He was startled by her sharp tone. “What? What the hell is your problem?”

“Don’t play dumb,” she snapped. “I want you. I need to be close to you. We both need it. I’m sorry you got zapped by your imbed, but you appear to be fine, so get over it.” She reached out and gripped his stiff, aching cock. Her skillful stroke and twist made him gasp sharply, a shudder of pleasure racking him.

He trapped her hand, held it still. Sweat broke out on his forehead. He was trying so hard not to drown in this thing, and she just would not get it.

“I’m not playing hard to get,” he said. “Of course I want to f*ck you. That’s a given. But I’m messed up right now. Thirteen years I’ve been busting my ass to manage my stress reaction and maintain impulse control. I thought I’d beat it. I was wrong.”

Her fingers tightened, stroking. The sensual caress made him clench his teeth.

“What’s wrong with this impulse?” she asked. “I love this impulse.”

He dragged her hand away from his shaft and held it tight to make it f*cking behave. “You’re not listening,” he said roughly. “I always lose control with you.”

“Have you heard me complain?”

“That’s not the point,” he snarled.

She huffed out an impatient breath. “So what the f*ck is the point? I’m lost.”

He grabbed her other hand, and squeezed. “Be patient,” he begged. “Please. I have to come up with an analog that’s not mined with imbeds. Not easy, OK?”

“I think a blow job would work better for you.”

His heart revved, and his dick twitched and throbbed. His combat program was scrolling madly, but he barely noticed it, staring at the hot challenge in her eyes.

“Uh . . .” He stopped and swallowed carefully. “Not a good idea.”

“Let go of my hands,” she said. “I’ll show you exactly what I mean.”

He maintained his tight grip, but his mouth felt dry. “Don’t push me.”

“I’d grip you, right at the root. And lick you up and down,” she said. “Until you’re shiny and wet. Hot and thick. Filling my mouth. I love that. I’ll pull you in deep, and suck you, and lick you . . . and make you scream with pleasure.” Her voice was throaty and caressing. Her fingers curled around his, squeezing. “Until you’re helpless and gasping. Out of control. Exploding in my mouth. Mmm. Love that. Yum.”