The light orb had fallen, plunging their small space into near darkness. But Venus could feel him. She could feel Julian's powerful legs beneath hers and his strong hands circling her waist. She yearned to feel more, so much more. The path to this moment had been difficult with disagreements and misunderstandings between them, but now they seemed perfectly attuned. Sleeping in each other's arms like they were meant for each other.
Julian cupped the back of her head, urging her closer for a kiss. When their lips met, a thrilling sensation coursed through her. He placed light, teasing kisses across her mouth until she murmured softly, wanting more…
"Kiss me deep Jul.."
Venus murmured between his kisses.
She was in want of his touch and powerful domineering kisses, wanting him to release his restraint and stop trying to shield himself from her.
She parted her lips for a deeper kiss, hoping to break through his control. Their wet mouths and tongues intertwined.
Venus broke the kiss and leaned back slightly. "I will not pretend I do not desire this, Julian. Not tonight."
"Nor I," he admitted, his voice deeper than usual and husky.
Ever since she had touched his muscled chest, she had longed to trace its contours again and again until she had memorized every ripple. She slid his tunic over his head and lightly brushed her fingertips across his shoulders, then moved down, feeling the rapid beat of his heart against her palm. She traced the muscles of his abdomen and gently rubbed his chest until she heard him groan.
She found a strange satisfaction in the change in his voice. It signified that she had breached his guarded exterior, revealing his true emotions.
There was complete darkness in the tent, but she still felt his gaze upon her. He lifted her baggy tshirt over her head. She closed her eyes, letting him shower her with his touches and kisses all over her bare skin, enjoying the sensation of Julian gently and slowly tracing her delicate skin as he traveled across her skin with his fingertips. He replaced his fingers with his tongue. She began to move against him, the sensation exquisite, wanting it to continue.
She wanted to show Julian the meaning of a connection that transcended a single night.
"You are beautiful, you know this?" he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.
She looked away, a flicker of insecurity in her eyes. "No, I am not."
"I cannot imagine a more captivating female," he said, then added, "Even if you are… decisive and strong-willed."
She licked the curve of his neck, and he groaned softly. "Perhaps you will learn to appreciate decisive and strong-willed."
"Perhaps you are correct." He interlaced her hand with his, but then stilled as her jade bracelet brushed his wrist. He felt for the clasp, unhooked it, and tossed it aside. It landed on the damp earth with a soft thud.
"That was a cherished gift. Gao Tianyu gave it to me."
"I know. I will acquire a new one for you." He intertwined their fingers again.
They kissed for what felt like an eternity. When he licked the sensitive spot on her neck, a fire seemed to ignite within her. She needed something to quench that flame. She needed Julian's touch, his embrace.
She looked into his eyes, and without uttering a word, he seemed to understand her unspoken plea: Take me.
"You are chilled," he murmured.
"No, I am not."
"Then why do you tremble?"
She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tightly. He lifted her into his arms and carried her onto his laps The tent was cool and dry. He shed his outer garments. Soon, they were both beneath the woven covers, their bare skin pressed together. His strong, capable arms encircled her. Her heart ceased its frantic pace, and the warmth of his body chased away the shivers.
He gently brushed the damp strands of hair away from her eyes with slow, tender fingers. "I cannot promise you all that you desire."
"Just promise me tonight, Julian."
Venus had no comprehension of the effect she had on him. When he had opened his eyes and seen her sleeping beside him in the tent, he had thought it a dream. Now she lay beside him, her body pressed against his, and he felt utterly vulnerable. He desired to bond with her in the deepest sense. He wanted to tell her of his past, that the trials of the pack had once defined his existence and his aspirations. He wanted to make this night eternal.
But it could not be.
Dammit, he knew he was venturing too deep. He should flee from this, from her, but that was not an option. Their connection was too potent, too impossible to ignore. She traced his jawline and lips, looking at him as if he held all the answers. He did not, and he should not feign otherwise.
"Cease your internal analysis," she murmured.
"I cannot." Too much remained unspoken between them.
"I sense the depth of your inner turmoil," she told him. "I see it in your face, your eyes." She placed her hand over his heart. "At this moment, I see the true you, Julian Zhao Xin. The one you attempt to conceal."
She knew only a fraction of it. Her words resonated deeply within him. He had never experienced such a connection, but then again, he had never been with a female like Venus.
He kissed her, the soft fullness of her lips sending jolts of energy through his entire being. Her leg entwined with his, and he traced the curve of her hip with his fingertips. When she purred softly at his touch and arched against him, he felt his control slipping.
"You evoke such powerful desires within me," she whispered breathlessly against his chest. Her words sank into his very core.
Spirits, this was not how it was meant to unfold. He was supposed to maintain emotional distance and only engage with those seeking fleeting pleasure, not those who yearned for something more profound than a single night.
But she was not demanding a lifelong commitment or asking him to return to a life he had left behind. She was asking for this night, nothing more. He needed to simply accept what she offered. He grasped her wrist and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently and feeling the frantic pulse against her warm, soft skin.
He traced the contours of her body with his fingers, following with his tongue. Her heart raced in rhythm with his as she moaned and drew him closer with urgency. Venus was captivating, her very essence intoxicating. His fingers explored her form, and he kissed her sweet lips as she moved against his touch.
She placed his hand upon herself,on her perky tits and his body surged with a new, heightened desire. Now it was he who murmured softly. He felt as though he was on the verge of shattering.
"Are you ready for this?" she asked, her voice laced with anticipation.
"By the full moon, yes. And you?"
She nodded. "Yes."
He told himself to remain calm. This was merely a physical joining.
It was only Sex!
Yes pure sex!
There were no obligations or expectations beyond this night, so why did his very being react as if this moment would irrevocably alter the course of his life? That was madness. They would share this night and move on with the dawn.
She leaned down and kissed him tenderly, her dark hair falling around them like a protective veil. The rain pattered against the tent, and distant thunder rumbled.
"We are truly going to do this," she whispered against his lips. Something suspiciously like a teardrop fell upon his chest. It was dark, and his vision was limited, but his sense of touch was acutely heightened.
"Are you crying, Moon cake?" he asked.
She offered no reply.
He gently brushed his thumb against her cheek. More tears fell down on his chest.
Spirits. He could not proceed.
"This will not work, Venus." He sat up, running a frustrated hand through his hair. He had been a fool to believe they could share a night and simply forget it with the sunrise. She might pretend she could be that kind of female, but she was not. "I intend to depart in the winter months and return to Sichuan when my father returns. I cannot… I cannot be the male you desire me to be."
She remained silent.
"Venus, say something."
"I have nothing to say. Leave me be." She sat up and reached into her travel pack for dry garments.
"Forgive me," he said painfully.
Damnation.
He wanted to say more, but what?
That he would be there for her eternally? That he would be the one she could always rely upon?
Those would be hollow words, empty promises she had likely heard before.
She turned her back to him and dressed. "Go to rest, Julian."
He lay back down with a sigh. When the first rays of sunlight filtered through the tent, Venus was sleeping soundly, her back still turned towards him.