Page 40 of Split or Swallow

Tem swallowed. He wasn’t making her feel any better. Caspen seemed to sense this, because he pulled her even closer, brushing his lips lightly along hers—not kissing her yet—only touching her skin with his. It felt like sparks exploding across her mouth.

“Just take what I give you,” he breathed. “And when you are ready, give it back to me.”

He waited until she nodded.

Then he kissed her.

When his lips pressed against hers, all Tem’s fears disappeared. So this was what it was like to be kissed. It felt like she’d finally found something she’d been missing—like everything that had been off-kilter her entire life was balanced at last. Caspen’s lips were soft and full, moving against hers more gently than she thought was possible. Tem let him guide her, following his lead as he slipped his tongue inside her mouth. Tem received it curiously, tracing it with hers, savoring the warm wetness before returning the favor.

They kissed for a long time. Tem didn’t know how long. But somewhere along the way, her dress slipped from her shoulders. Then Caspen’s shirt came off. They were both naked, intertwined on the mat, kissing like they had all the time in the world to do so. Caspen touched her gently, running his palms over her breasts, her hips, her thighs. He teased her nipples with his fingers, hardening them between his knuckles before cupping her entire breast and squeezing. She’d never been touched like that before. It felt so good she never wanted it to stop.

Caspen’s body was almost too warm for comfort. But she welcomed his skin against hers, wrapping her legs around his waist and pressing herself against him. The claw was still inside her, and Caspen had begun sending pulses, slow and lingering, their rhythm corresponding with the way they were kissing. Each one made her ache for him even more. Eventually he slid the claw out, replacing it with his fingers. She spread her legs so he could go deeper, arching her back to meet his touch, moving her body in tandem with his. She couldn’t hold back her moans. There was no point in even trying. All she wanted was for him to never, ever stop touching her.

Tem clasped her hand over his, holding it in place so she could slide herself up and down his fingers, grinding back and forth, back and forth, until she felt her orgasm building. Caspen’s pupils dilated as he watched her pleasure herself, and she wondered if he enjoyed this even more than doing it himself.

With her other hand she reached between his legs, pressing her palm against his cock—not even stroking it yet—just feeling how hard he was for her. She wrapped her fingers around it, pulling him even closer.

“Fuck me, Caspen,” she breathed.

“Not tonight, Tem,” he said against her lips.

Tem didn’t understand. She wanted to have sex. She was ready to have sex. But for some reason, Caspen was withholding it from her. He defined the boundaries of their relationship—if it even was a relationship. But Tem knew it was. She knew they had crossed a line somewhere, probably the first night they met, when she’d asked him to undress and she’d touched herself in front of him. She was not just his student, and he was not just her teacher. They were more than that. They had to be.

“Please,” she tilted her hips, pulling his fingers deeper.

“Do not ask me again,” his voice was strained—he was begging her.

“But I want you,” she whispered.

Pain flitted across his face. She knew she hadn’t imagined it.

“You will have me,” he said. “Just not tonight.”

He didn’t say he wanted her too.

Tem pulled away. She felt suddenly exposed, like she’d revealed far too much of her heart to someone who didn’t care to see it.

“Tem,” he tried to pull her back, but she didn’t let him. She stared at the fire, watching the flickering flames, imagining they would consume her. She heard Caspen sigh.

“It is too early, Tem. We have barely begun our lessons.”

Lessons. Student and teacher. Boundaries. Caspen’s favorite defense.

“And how would you grade me so far?” she said sharply, looking him in the eye.

A long pause. “Do you truly want an answer?”

She clenched her jaw, biting back pain. “Yes.”

He studied her face before replying:

“You do not follow instructions. You are stubborn. And impatient. Those are not qualities the prince will appreciate.”

Tem couldn’t believe what he was saying. She glared at him.

“Isn’t that your fault? Maybe you should be a better teacher.”

Caspen shook his head. “It is not possible to teach an unwilling student.”