Page 47 of Split or Swallow

To her surprise, Caspen smiled. “That is impossible.”

“Why?”

“Because,” he propped himself up on his elbow. “This part of you tastes like heaven,” he brushed his lips up her neck, whispering the rest of his sentence right into her ear: “I have no doubt the rest of you tastes the same.”

A shiver went down her spine.

When Caspen pulled away they looked at each other in the firelight, and Tem realized she’d never felt so vulnerable in her life. This was scarier, somehow, than when she had disrobed in front of him for the first time. This was the culmination of everything she had ever dared to fantasize about—that a man would want to taste her—and she felt as if she were falling headfirst off a cliff into an roiling ocean of unknown.

Caspen seemed to sense her distress because he pulled her closer.

“This should not be a concern, Tem. You have nothing to fear.”

She nodded. But her doubt must have shown on her face, because Caspen sighed, and said:

“Shall I prove it?”

“Prove what?”

“That you taste good.”

She frowned. “How?”

Caspen paused. Then he took Tem’s hand and moved it slowly down her body until it was between her legs. He guided her first two fingers inside her gently, keeping eye contact the entire time. When Tem didn’t protest, he pushed her fingers deeper, only stopping when she let out a soft moan. Then he pulled them back out, holding her hand between them. Her wetness glistened in the firelight.

He paused, and in that moment every one of Tem’s fears erupted inside her.

Then he smiled, and she knew what he was going to do. Still, it was an out of body experience to actually watch Caspen raise her hand, part his lips, and place her first two fingers gently in his mouth. She felt his tongue move between them, showing her exactly what he would do between her legs. When he was done, he kissed her fingertips.

Then he smiled.

“As I said. Heaven.”

Tem had never felt anything close to the way she felt right now. Caspen had always made her feel safe, but this time was different. This gesture was deeper—more nuanced and profound than all the other times he’d touched her.

Caspen was looking at her with such calm patience she could cry.

“How do you always know?” she whispered.

“Know what, Tem?”

“How to make me feel better.”

He chuckled softly.

“I never know. I just try something and hope for the best.”

Now it was her turn to laugh. At her response, Caspen laughed too, and for a moment, Tem was perfectly happy.

He pulled her against his chest and they laid there together, bodies intertwined.

“Is there anything else you wish to discuss?” he asked quietly.

She considered the question. When she first met Caspen, she never would have imagined they’d have a conversation like the one they were having now. She never thought she’d be telling him her fears and secrets—never thought he’d be asking her to tell him more.

There was really only one other thing she wanted, and it had been on her mind for a while now. But to actually say it seemed insurmountable, like climbing the tallest mountain with nothing but her bare feet to carry her. And yet, she knew if she said nothing, she would regret it.

“I wish you would let me in.”