Page 38 of Something Worth Keeping
Cillian made a sound between a growl and a groan. His shadows climbed higher, wrapping around Julian’scalves, his thighs. One tendril curved around his waist while Cillian remained frozen two feet away.
“See? Even your shadows know what they need.” Julian looked down at the cool darkness caressing his body. “They’re more honest than you are right now.”
“I’m trying to be gentle. I refuse to overwhelm you.”
“I don’t require gentleness. I require honesty and clear communication.” Julian met those void-black eyes. “Do you want to touch me?”
“More than I want to exist.”
“Then touch me.”
Cillian closed the distance in one fluid movement, his hands framing Julian’s face with unexpected tenderness. His shadows were wrapped tighter, dozens of points of contact all at once - ankle, calf, thigh, waist, wrist.Julian’s breath caught at the sensation.
“Too much?” Cillian’s voice was strained.
“No.” Julian leaned into the touch. “But we should establish parameters.”
A huff of surprised laughter. “Of course you want parameters.”
“Clear boundaries prevent misunderstandings.” Julian considered the shadows currently exploring his body with curious insistence. “The shadows can touch anywhere except my ass. That’s your territory exclusively, if and when we get there. Everything else is acceptable.”
Cillian’s pupils dilated until his eyes were entirely black. “You’re giving my shadows permission to touch you.”
“They’re already touching me. I’m establishing consent boundaries.”Julian gasped as a shadow curled around his throat - not squeezing, just resting there like a collar. “Is that an acknowledgment of your claim?”
“Yes.” Cillian’s thumb traced Julian’s jaw. “They’re claiming what’s theirs. What’s mine.”
“Technically, I’m claiming you, too. The mate bond is reciprocal.”
“Julian.” Cillian’s forehead pressed against his. “I have to take you to bed. Not for sex, just…I need to touch you. I need to know you’re safe.”
Julian’s heart rate elevated. A definite arousal response. “Yes.”
Cillian lifted him effortlessly, the shadows supporting Julian’s weight as Cillian carried him to the massive bed. He laid Julian down carefully, then followed him onto the mattress. The shadows never released their hold, dozens of cool tendrils caressing Julian’s skin through his clothes.
“Can I take your sweater off?” Cillian asked, his voice rough.
“Yes. All my clothes, if you want.”
Cillian’s hands shook as he pushed Julian’s sweater up. “Not all. Not yet. I’m barely holding my instincts back as it is.”
Julian lifted his arms, letting Cillian pull the sweater over his head. The shadows immediately wrapped around his bare torso, mapping every inch of exposed skin. Julian arched into the touch, his breath coming faster.
“You like that.” Cillian’s eyes tracked every reaction. “You like the shadows touching you.”
“It’s novel. Stimulating.” Julian’s hands found Cillian’s shoulders, anchoring himself. “You’re not touching me enough, though. The shadows are doing all the work.”
Cillian made a pained sound. “I’m trying not to devour you.”
“Devouring sounds efficient.”
“Julian…”
“Touch me, Cillian. That’s what you need. What we both need.”
Cillian’s control snapped. His hands mapped Julian’s chest, his ribs, his stomach - every inch of visible skin. His shadows continued their exploration, one wrapping around Julian’s throat, others circling his wrists, his ankles. Claiming and cataloging simultaneously.
“Four thousand years,” Cillian said hoarsely, his hands trembling against Julian’s skin. “Four thousand years, and I’ve never wanted anything. I never felt desire. Then you walked into that alley and looked at me like I made sense.”
