As she listened, a light laugh of her own loosed when he chuckled, shifting a bit in her chair as he continued…only to feel the smile freeze on her face as the surprise set in.<span style="font-style: italic">Another offer?</span>came a thought as her eyes widened a bit, eyes narrowing as she continued to mull it over.<span style="font-style: italic">…Is…is he serious…?</span><br/><br/>Her eyes glanced at Athan, the surprise clearly evident on her face before looking back at Colt, lips parting to speak, only to close again as she wasn’t quite sure what to say or how it’d even work.<br/><br/>“…Are…are you serious?” she asked, voice quiet, disbelieving. “This…isn’t some kind of joke, right? This is a serious offer?” There were no -words to describe her current shock. “I mean…What sort of dance would you be interested in doing?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Of course I'm serious!” Colt said with a laugh. “I saw you dance, the passion you poured into moves and how natural it looked. The reviews hardly do you justice to be honest,” the words spoken freely and honestly. “As for the dance, I am not sure, I figured we could work on it together? Create it ourselves? I don't know what your schedule is like or even if you would have the time, but I just figured we could talk about it...” <br/><br/>Athan held his tongue and did not mention how the two of them were to do their own dance. How if she and Colt were to do a dance that it could disrupt their dance and rehearsal. Instead he just sat there and watched this unfold.</span><br/><br/>His words pulled a slight blush into her cheeks, her eyes dropping and a hand pushing some of the loose hair back from her face in a subconscious gesture. To hear him talk about her dance, it had her slightly embarrassed, but proud someone else, another dancer, could appreciate what she did, regardless of her training level, of her expertise.<br/><br/>But, she had just agreed to dance again with Athanase. Even if it had only just been agreed upon moments before the night out with Colt, it was still an agreement. “Well…I wouldn’t mind dancing with you…if you’re willing to work with me on a schedule. Athanase and I were also planning to do another dance, but, if the pair of you can work with me to figure a schedule, I wouldn’t mind?” Her eyes glanced over to Athan then, looking for a reaction, trying to gauge how he felt about it, and then back to Colt to see how he felt about her choice.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">There were many things that Athanase was, jealous and possessive were not two things that he ever thought he would be. Especially, given the fact that Tempest was not his and did not belong to him in any kind of way, shape, or fashion. Yet, there he was at that table, every ounce of his being put into maintaining a calm exterior. At the attention being placed on him once again, he smiled and shrugged. <br/><br/>“Well, we would have to be fair to everyone, to make sure that everyone got all the time that they needed for their performances,” he looked from Tempest to Colt. “What times were you thinking of rehearsing?” <br/><br/>Now this, the mention of time made Colt smirk and give a shrug of his own, “Hmm....you know I am more of a morning person really...,” Athanase stiffened just a bit at that remark. “But, then Tempest I would hate that you would have to try and change your current routine to suit just me. I am fine with evening practices, though then it becomes a matter of what time? Days?” <br/><br/>“Um, well, not to try and be too forward, but if we were to each take every other night that would allow you no chance or very little sleep,” Athanase said with a look to Tempest. “If it were so every other night with us all taking a night off and no working on the weekends, that would give you time to dance and get rest, etc. What do you think?”</span><br/><br/>As they spoke, her eyes remained more on Athan, to see if he were being accommodating for the sake of being accommodating or if he were actually fine with this. With their history, she didn’t want to cause any strife. And, if it came down to it, she and Athanase had the agreement first, so it would only be fair to honor that agreement first and foremost. But, she couldn’t see any signs that he were acting okay with it when he wasn’t. Instead, she made a mental note to ask him later.<br/><br/>That mental note turned into an inward grimace at the thought of day rehearsals. Had it not been for Colt being mindful of her current schedule, she may have had to step in and put that as her only request. It’d taken her ages to get onto the right schedule, and to suddenly throw in days among the nights, it’d throw her for a loop and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to dance like she needed to with that wrench thrown into the system. Thankfully, he was willing to work evenings, and Athan was mindful of her not being out straight, which was also greatly appreciated. Honestly, she’d not thought of that, how they’d have time off and she wouldn’t as they’d have off nights where she’d always be on.<br/><br/>“It’s not being too forward,” she replied with a light laugh. “I’d…honestly not even considered that, having thought it’d be an alternating night schedule. I think that sounds perfect, alternating nights, one night off, and weekends off. Gives us time to relax, unwind, as I’m sure throwing me around will likely wear on the both of you.” A small laugh accompanied her words, a wry look at the pair. “My only question would be how it would work before performances, and how the performance schedule as a whole would work.” She took a small pause, if only to figure out how to explain herself. “Just before any performance I’ve done, though limited, we’ve had a sort of…hell week. If we’re having off nights, or if we’re performing within relatively close proximity to each other…how would the schedule change? Hypothetically speaking.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">That was something that neither male had thought about and had them both looking to one another as if for an answer. How would that work? Athan and Tempest had been basically attached at the hip for that final week. Long nights at the theater, some nights spent at her apartment, but that time was definitely spent with one another. <br/><br/>How would they do this? When each performance would need that week of work? <br/><br/>“Maybe we could work out the scheduling of the performances to be two weeks apart?” Colt offered. “That would give us some play room and each pairing time to work out the final kinks of their performances. That should work, right?” <br/><br/>Athan mulled it over and did the math, “Yes, I think that would be fine. What do you think, Tempest?”  he asked. Rather pleased with the fact that he had made the right call in regards to the rehearsal scheduling. Made him feel as if he had earned a couple of extra points with her because of it.</span><br/><br/>She nodded in agreement. “If we could work out the two weeks apart, I don’t see why not? It’d give us time leading up, and then that week prior to the performances, that way we can do what’s needed for the individual pieces?” Another nod, and her expression softened. “So long as we can do that, there should be no issue.”<br/><br/>Her eyes flicked between the two, a smile on her lips. “So then we’re in agreement? Athan, you and I will do a dance…” Her eyes lingered on Athan for that moment before sliding over to Colt. “And, Colt…you and I will do a dance.” Glancing down at the remainder of the dessert, she bypassed it for her flute of champagne. “Where you and I had the agreement first, Athan…I figure we’ll start first? Unless either of you have an objection to that. I could dance with Colt first if it’s preferred; Whichever's easiest."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Another shared look that was held with one another, as if to test the wills of each male. After a moment, Colt, looked away. “Think we are just going to keep it as it was, with me dancing with you first ,” Athanase said as he looked back to Tempest. “We will have to try a group meeting thing, with the director and see what they want us to do and how long of a performance he would want from each of us. I have to say, though, that I am rather excited about this whole thing, perhaps after some time we could work on something that includes the three of us. Similar to what we did out there,” he nodded to the dancefloor. “That would be interesting and something that the audience would love, no?”</span><br/><br/>As they looked at each other, her eyes volleyed between them until one finally broke it, gaze lingering on Colt for a moment until Athan’s attention shifted to her. A group meeting sounded about right, so they could nail down the details, nodding in response. But then, the mention of a three-way dance had her eyes widening a bit, slipping back to the dance floor. Dancing with them both simultaneously had been intense, breath-taking, difficult yet easy all at once. Something like that could be thought-provoking, if done correctly…<br/><br/>“When would we practice that?” was her next question. “Would it have to be the day off in the middle of the week until we get nearer the performance itself? Or another option that I’m not thinking of?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Colt laughed then, “Think Athan means much later. Not to sound selfish, myself, but I am looking forward to seeing what we come up with on our own.” <br/><br/>“The man has a point, last time we danced someone's vision and this time I want to do something that is inspired by you and I. Should be interesting and creative to say the very least,” he smiled and lifted his glass this time. “So, shall we toast to our future endeavors?” <br/><br/>“To a future with limitless possibilities and lots of creative fun,” Colt said as his glass rose. <br/><br/>Both men would have to play very nice for this to work with her, each with their own secret to keep and their own reason to foil the other. How this would end, neither was sure, but it would be one hell of a ride regardless.</span><br/><br/>She laughed at his words, a hand rubbing her temple. “Sorry, I’m very…present-minded,” Tempest replied to Colt with a shrug. Athanase replied in kind, before lifting his glass in a toast that Colt added to. Her own rose, smile lingering on her lips. “To the future.” Her own was shorter, simpler, though she felt encompassed exactly what she intended.<br/><br/>Their future together would be interesting, she was certain. She could only hope that things went smoothly and the pair could continue with whatever tense understanding they’d reached because she wasn’t so sure she could handle knocking them both a few pegs at the same time.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The night ended and the two were dropped off in front of the theater once again, with Athanase offering to walk Tempest home. <br/><br/>“I promise that I won't bite,” he joked. “I just want to make sure that you get there safe or more the point that you don't hurt someone too badly who thinks they can just accost you,” he teased.</span><br/><br/>The ride back to the theatre, she was relatively silent, more just mulling over the events of the evening and thinking of the possibilities that’d just been afforded her. She’d expected to walk home alone, but instead…got an offer from Athan to accompany her which left her feeling almost shy. It’s not as though he didn’t know where she lived, or that he’d not been there before, but more that her thoughts that evening had been less on the professional side and now there was a walk where she’d have to watch herself some more.<br/><br/>“That I don’t hurt someone too badly, hmm?” she repeated with a grin. “You can try, but they’ll likely end up in a full body cast, anyway. I mean, have you seen these guns?” Flexing one arm, she tried to keep her composure, only to lapse into laughter with a nod. “I wouldn’t be opposed to you accompanying me home. It’s a bit out of the way for you, though, isn’t it?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Oh yeah, those are definitely some guns,” he said with a smile. “Maybe, I should ask you to walk me home? I might get mugged and my money maker bruised and battered,” he laughed. “It is a bit, but then again I rather enjoy the company, so it is more than worth it,” he met her eyes with his own and smiled. A slight breeze kicked up and went to remove it before he paused with a look to her, “Am I in danger of getting hit, if I were to offer you my jacket?” his tone was playful as he waited for her answer.</span><br/><br/>“Yep, you should definitely employ me as your bodyguard. Have to keep you in one piece after all,” she replied. Her eyes lingered on his for a moment as he smiled, only to shift as the wind blew, glancing over her shoulder hands subconsciously going to rub her arms as the wind picked up. But, as seemed to be the common theme, he surprised her, offering his jacket, her own hands dropping in self-conscious fashion as she hadn’t realized she’d been doing anything.<span style="font-style: italic">I am…very off my game,</span>she thought in delayed fashion.<br/><br/>“…You could offer it. I promise not to hit you at the moment,” came her own reply, the grin slowly returning to her features, eyes taking on the playful gleam.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He removed his jacket and carefully placed it about her shoulders, “Long as I have a few moments from physical harm, I am happy.” The smile continued and they walked for a bit in silence, “How much would such services cost?” he asked with a smirk. “You know for you to protect me from the cruel, cruel world,” he laughed. <br/><br/>When was the last time he smiled so much? Laughed so much? <br/><br/>Too long, he knew that for sure.</span><br/><br/>Pulling it about her a little tighter, she said a quiet ‘thank you’ as she fell into step beside him. “I’m not cheap; Not sure you can afford me,” Temp taunted, taking a couple steps ahead of him, and walking backward with a grin. “Question is, are you willing to spend that much to ensure your survival in the cruel, cruel world with nothing but my guns to protect you?”<br/><br/>Her head was feeling light, bubbly almost.<span style="font-style: italic">Likely the champagne,</span>she thought to herself with an inward shrug. “Plus, you’d have to put up with me<span style="font-style: italic">even</span>more than you do now. Not sure you can handle that.” The last was added after the fact, having already turned around, pace picking up a touch, a light bounce to her step.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “I know it will be hard to try and afford priceless,” he caught up to her and draped his arm about her shoulders. “But you, your guns and general presence is more than worth it,” he pulled her in just a bit closer. “Though, do you think you can tolerate being around me so much? I mean I might need something like 24/7 protection, this world is very scary and I am but one man....” he smiled while he looked down at her.</span><br/><br/>She leaned into him without a second thought, feeling completely at ease when he pulled her in closer. Her head lulled onto his shoulder, the smile on her lips a permanent fixture to her features. It dawned on her after the fact that he’d called her priceless, even in joking fashion, but the blush appeared just the same. Though, the next moment, he’d shifted focus to him, which she was thankful for as it gave her something else to focus on. “I don’t know…I mean, it may be hard, but…I think I could handle that,” came her reply, glancing up at him, smile growing. “Don’t worry; I’ll protect you,” she added with a wink.<br/><br/>And then she fell silent, smile softening before her gaze dropped. Clearing her throat, with a light laugh, “So, I think we’ve struck an accord? You put up with me and I offer my services. Sound agreeable to you?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “More than agreeable,” his voice soft and sincere while he continued to hold her gaze and smiled. “So, when would this protection service start? Tonight?” he asked with a smile, though his tongue did slip out briefly to glide over his lips.</span><br/><br/>Blinking, she felt that breathless feeling all over again, her heart changing in pace and skipping a few beats. The tongue slipping out wasn’t lost on her, eyes dropping to it for the briefest of moments before glancing back up at him. “Tonight? I mean…if you need protection tonight, I can’t very well leave you out in the cold…” she replied to that quietly, nibbling on the inner of her lower lip.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “It would save me the trip to my place and would make me feel safer knowing you were there to protect me,” he replied as they stopped at her apartment building. <br/><br/>This evening was certainly not what he expected or planned but at the moment he was only focused on one thing and that was Tempest.  Whatever there was about her that appealed to him he could not doubt that it was there and had changed him. Whether it was for the better or for the worse was yet to be determined, so far some would say for the better.</span><br/><br/>“Then…that’s what we’ll do,” she agreed, nodding and just looking at him for a moment longer.<br/><br/>She barely even noticed they’d stopped, more focused on the conversation, almost completely focused on him. It clicked only after the sound of her heels reverberating off of surrounding buildings had stopped, and only her loud heart beat remained. Shaking her head to focus, she took out the small ring of keys from her clutch (the clutch she’d have forgotten had it not been about her wrist), and unlocked the door to the apartment building. Then, a few short steps to the elevator, a quick ride up to her floor, and then it was into her apartment. Admittedly, she had a hard time unlocking her door as the nerves got the better of her, but she somehow managed, closing it behind him when he entered.<br/><br/>The entire time she’d been on the quieter side, mind running over how her apartment looked. Thankfully, she’d picked up beforehand so, while her makeshift dance floor remained, everything else was in its proper place. “So…can I get you anything?” Tempest asked as she put her clutch down and set to slipping out of her shoes.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Nothing else was said as he followed her into the building, the elevator ride silent and full of unspoken tension. At her door she fumbled with the keys and the lock, but eventually it was open and they were inside. Door closed and locked now, they were completely alone and Athanase was not sure what to do or where to begin. <br/><br/>The sweet beating of her heart was the loudest thing in the room and he wanted nothing more than to taste it. Feel it against his lips while he drank from her, held close....kissed her. At the question of what he wanted, he turned and went to her. Eyes on her own, he remained silent until he was right before her. <br/><br/>Slow, with measured care, he raised his hands, one brushed along the side of her neck for a brief moment before both gently removed his jacket from her shoulders. “What would you say...” he began and leaned down just a bit, a hand at her chin to tilt her face up to his own. “If what I wanted...was you....” eyes ever on her own, searching them as he awaited her reply.</span><br/><br/>She’d thought it was a simple question with a simple answer. Whether he wanted a drink: coffee, water, something along those lines. Whether he wanted something to eat (though unlikely with the meal they’d only just eaten. Whether or not he needed the bathroom and she could point him in the direction.<br/><br/>Anything but what she got as a reply.<br/><br/>Her heart skipped another beat as he started toward her, his eyes on hers and her own transfixed on his as he grew closer. Lips parting silently, just a hair, as her breath slowed, she wasn’t sure what to expect. Goosebumps formed across her skin as he brushed along her neck, as he removed the coat from her shoulders, as he tilted her chin up to him, his face own face growing closer.<br/><br/>…And then came his question, or his hypothetical one. Everything else melted away as she just looked up at him, lips taking up in their silent reply, opening and closing as her brain struggled to keep up with any sort of logical reply. Half of her thought he wasn’t serious, after how he’d spoken to her when they met. The other half was almost in disbelief, hopeful he was as serious as his eyes seemed to look.<br/><br/>“I’d say…” Eyes bouncing back and forth between his, and then dropping to his lips, only to slip back to his as her tongue subconsciously slipped out over her own lips, she couldn’t think of what else to say. She’d later blame the champagne for what she did next, as it was out of character for her to make that move first, especially on one that she had a working relationship with, but…without another thought, Tempest closed the gap in a soft kiss, the hesitancy she’d normally have felt subsiding, a quiet confidence in the kiss. A hand slid up his chest to rest on his shoulder, before hooking behind his neck, lingering after the kiss ended.<br/><br/>His lips were soft, velvet-almost, melding with her own. Even after that kiss ended, her heart’s beat rapid and her breath scarce, her lips still burned as though they were still touching, still together. Slowly, her eyes opened, a slight hesitance in the dark depths as her eyes searched his. There was a question in her mind as to whether or not she should have done that, but she figured she’d find out in soon enough if she’d overstepped.<br/><br/>It felt like fire shot through his body from the point of where their lips met, all throughout his body. The hand that had rested on her shoulder moved to the back of her neck, tangled up in the hair at the nape of her neck while he held her closer. When it finally did end, Athan's eyes opened to meet her own and in answer to her unspoken question he smiled and kissed her this time. No hesitation in his actions, lips against her own with confidence and desire, the hand at her waist moved to the small of her back.<br/><br/>There were so many reasons why they should not be doing this, why he should not be doing this and yet there they were. Kissing and holding one another, in her apartment after a dinner where he danced a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Colt. Now look at them...<br/><br/>At some point he had begun to walk her back, so that her back was against the door and his body pressed against her own. When it ended this time, he found himself a bit breathless though that did not stop him from being a bit playful.<br/><br/>“I'm feeling safer already,” he whispered with a smile.[/color]<br/><br/>Her eyes closed again as his lips hit her own, breath hitching as she melted into him. Where her other arm hadn’t yet risen, it joined in, slipping about his back to pull him closer.<br/><br/>For all the reasons she normally came up with for not getting to this point with a partner, she had none right then. Her mind had gone blissfully blank, head feeling light, burning anywhere he touched. He’d even managed to trap her against the door with his frame, and she hadn’t noticed what it was behind her until he allowed her to breathe, until the kiss stopped. And then the world came back into focus, as did the door behind her back, though his body against hers took precedent in the scheme of what was important to pay attention to.<br/><br/>Where she wasn’t normally comfortable being trapped like this, with Athan in front of her…she didn’t mind. At all. In fact, she rather liked it.<br/><br/>A small blush crept into her cheeks as her heart hammered loudly in her ears, almost making it impossible to hear his whispered words. Yet, by some miracle, she’d managed to and it brought the smile back to her lips. The hand that’d been behind his neck crept forward to his cheek, thumb smoothing out over the skin. “I’m glad…” Another kiss was stolen, quick this time, leaving her as breathless as those before it. “Means I’m…” Another kiss. “Doing my job…” she whispered back.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “I might...” this time he kissed her. “Go broke...” another kiss. “Trying to afford this protection...” yet another kiss, but this time it lingered and deepened. His tongue gaining entrance into her mouth to dance with her own and added to the heat of the moment between them. When it finally did end, Athan scarce had a breath left, “Definitely worth it though....definitely worth it....” he whispered and then captured her lips again. <br/><br/>Already, he realized this was bad, that he should have waited till after he had fed. The deep rhythmic beating of her heart only managed to remind him of his hunger. It had been too many nights since he fed and it had begun to take its toll on him. To the point where he could just about taste her blood in his mouth, how it would feel as it rolled down the back of his throat. <br/><br/>Great care would have to be taken, lest he do something he may regret.</span><br/><br/>Each kiss stole a little more of her breath, and earned another skipped heartbeat, caused her smile to grow more as a small sound escaped. Her tongue joined in at his behest, hardly able to have any thought other than how good this felt. Somewhere in the back of her mind, a thought tried to push through to remind her that they should stop, given the nature of their working relationship, not wanting to ruin it with this should anything go south…but it never made it to the forefront. It was thoroughly blocked by alcohol and her lack of inhibitions just then.<br/><br/>As the next kisses picked up again, she pushed more into him, using the door as leverage to try and lead him back. Though this wasn’t the sort of thing she normally did on…second nights out, that aren’t even dates, or something that started off with no romantic connotations, something about Athan made her want to. It was something in his eyes, in the way he conducted himself. Something she’d not noticed before that was crystal clear tonight had her perfectly content with where this was going.<br/><br/>Finally breaking the kiss, she took hold of his hand and started to pull him along, occasionally stealing kisses, but more of the mind to get him moving toward the back of her apartment. When she got within distance of it anyway…Then, she recaptured his lips in a kiss that she held, walking him backward into her makeshift bedroom, until his legs hit the edge of her bed, carefully pushing him down onto it and following suit, the kiss breaking for the span of a single heartbeat before it resumed.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Athanase was more than happy to allow her to lead, the occasional kisses more fuel to the already raging inferno. When she stopped and took his lips in a longer kiss he caught himself off guard with a moan. There was no way to explain how she made him and how much he wanted her right then and there. <br/><br/>Bed at the back of his legs, the sensation of falling back and a brief moment of disapproval when the kiss ended. Only to moan again when the kiss resumed and lose himself to it once again. Hands now roamed along her back, down to her waist and then up along her thighs, the material of the dress easily pushed out of the way. <br/><br/>Wrong...this was wrong....but he could not even begin to get himself to stop. Instead he broke the kiss to trail kisses and nibble along her neck, then down to her shoulder. “Tempest...” he moaned her name between the kisses and nibbles.</span><br/><br/>The moan of disapproval was met with a moan of approval from her, the moment they’d reconnected, thoroughly lost in the moment. Into his touch, she leaned, her body wanting to prolong each touch even if it didn’t actually leave, shifting from one spot to the other. Another moan slipped free as she felt his hands on her thighs, back arching into him. That moan shifted into a sound of protest as he broke the kiss, but it quickly diminished into something else, a whimper sorts as he nibbled down her neck and shoulder.<br/><br/>But the way he moaned her name…it was music to her ears. The last time someone had moaned her name, it’d been the end of it, as they’d started another girl’s name and tried to recover. Yet, with Athan…it wasn’t forced. Not much felt forced with him, at least not anymore. They’d gone from hating each other, the deepest of loathing she had for the man, and now… This hadn’t been what she’d ever considered, but this was something she wanted. A lot.<br/><br/>She responded by working at his shirt, hands unbuttoning his shirt and pushing it open, wanting to feel skin, not clothing. Hands jittery, it felt like an impossible feat to get the button free of its hold, to the point of considering pulling it apart and praying the buttons popped free. Thankfully for the shirt, she managed to get them out and her nails were able to drag down his body, feeling over every contour of muscle, a distinct moan of approval falling free as she continued at her leisure.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> <span style="font-style: italic"> Rip it! Rip it ! </span> he thought when he felt her fumble and struggle with the buttons of his shirt. Just as he was about to rip it himself, she got the buttons undone and he moaned deeply, back arched from the bed at the sensation of her nails down his chest. A sharp bite he gave to her shoulder before he kissed back up to her lips and captured them once again in a heated embrace. <br/><br/>Time moved on and it was his time to want more, need more, so his hands roamed up along her body as he sought the means to remove her dress. Just as his frustration began to mount he found the zipper at her side.  It did not go as far as he would have liked, but it would give him more room to touch what he wanted, which was her.<br/><br/>The zipper now down, he slipped his hand inside and ran it up along her back, then around the front of her. Kiss broken once more, “Tempest....” again her name left his lips in a moan of desire and need.</span><br/><br/>His moan was barely heard over the sound of her own sharply inhaled breath and subsequent moan as his lips recaptured hers. That bite had been sharp; A surprise, but a welcomed surprise. It sent a shiver up her spine, her body already trembling with the anticipation, hardly able to breathe with everything overwhelming her right then.<br/><br/>Next came her own dress. She wanted it off, to press her body against his, with less barring her than what she presently wore. Even with the dress being on the shorter side, it wasn’t enough. For once…she almost wish she normally wore less if only to make things easier in that moment. Sure, he’d pulled the zipper down and slipped inside, eliciting more sharp breaths, more moans, one bearing his name tumbling free of her lips as she arched into his touch, but it wasn’t enough.<br/><br/>Sitting up (something she didn’t really want to do, but needed to for the sake of ease), she grasped the bottom of her dress and stripped it off over her head, tossing it somewhere behind her while simultaneously dropping back down to him. The contact couldn’t be re-established fast enough, pressing into him as her lips stole another heated kiss, hands roving over him as her heart threatened to pound out of her chest. “Athan…” came another moan, this one against his lips as she wasn’t willing to stop kissing him for the sake of the moan, continuing through it, hands feeling and touching everywhere she could reach comfortably.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The sound of his name on her lips made him want her more, made her even more desirable. His hand slid up her back and unhooked her bra, palm splayed over her bare flesh. Hips ground up against her and it was his turn to become frustrated, because he wanted more of his body against her own. Pants, the material, once fit perfectly and was now too tight and confining. They needed to be removed, but that would mean he would have to break away from Tempest and he did not want that. <br/><br/>While he tried to think about how to somehow phase out of his pants, instead he broke the kiss with her and pushed her up slightly. Just enough so that he could lean up and take one of her nipples into his mouth. Care was taken as he allowed his fang to nip at the bit of flesh, before his tongue ran across I and he suckled it. A hand moved to the small of her back, while the other was used to fondle and manipulate the breast that was currently not being given attention by his mouth.</span><br/><br/>Hooks popping, her bra was quickly shrugged off, following her dress’s path to the floor in a haphazard fashion. But, what resonated more…were his hips grinding into her. Her own responded, grinding against him in time, nails digging into his shoulder just a bit while she kept her balance atop him, one hand bracing on the bed beside him. It wasn’t enough, though, not really. Grinding against him, the passionate kissing, she craved more, needed more.<br/><br/>Another sound of protest escaped, frowning, as he pushed her up a bit and broke the kiss. “Wha-” The word cut short, barely into the question she was going to ask as it cut off into another moan of his name, this one louder than the one before it, as another overwhelming sensation joined in. A nip, a lick of his tongue, and a suckle. Her mind went blank all over again, her heart skipping several beats, her breaths shaky as her grip on him tightened and her eyes rolled back, head dropping forward with it. It was almost too much when his other hand joined in, fondling the other while his mouth continued; So much so that, had his hand not been at her back, she may have pulled away just a touch to catch her breath.<br/><br/>But, maybe she wanted to be breathless? Everything felt so good, too good, and they’d barely even started.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">A low growl was made as he switched to the other nipple, hands switching positions to maintain the rhythm he had. It was all perfect, except for the fact that he still wore pants that needed to be removed before he ripped them off. Which, as much as he hated to ruin a good suit, in this case he knew it would be more than worth it. <br/><br/>Without another thought he wrapped his arm about her waist and rolled with her, so that now she was beneath him and he atop. Hips pressed hard against her own, he ground into her harder with a deliberate purpose before he started to kiss lower and  lower. Contact broken at their hips, a sensation he welcomed and regretted at the same time. It felt really good, but it also merely built on his continued frustration. <br/><br/>Now, his lips, tongue and teeth were at her stomach. The smooth and soft flesh there hid the well-toned stomach he knew she possessed. Muscles which appeared every time she tensed from one sensation or another. When he got to the line of her thong there was a slight pause as he was not sure just what he wanted to do. Rip the material and have what he wanted instantly? Take his time and savor the moment with slowly pulling the material down....<br/><br/>In the end his fangs made the decision as they got caught in the material and he decided to just roll with that option. Slowly, he pulled it down, his eyes on her face the whole time to judge her reaction and watch the sight as her chest rose and fell with her labored breathing. When the material was finally down enough he released it, his hand used to remove it the rest of the before he took a pause to draw out the moment. He wanted her to look at him, wanted her to seek out his eyes, wanted to see that need from her for him. <br/><br/>When that look was given he licked across her in one slow drawn out action, a tremble ran through his body at her sweet taste. Another pause though this one was shorter, before he used his fingers to part her outer lips and lick along her directly. Tongue focused on her hard clit, while a finger slipped into her.</span><br/><br/>The switch was met with another cry, another moan, barely able to hold herself up any longer. Perfectly timed, he rolled her beneath him. Now, though, instead of having a hard time holding herself up, she was having a hard time breathing. With this change in position, he ground harder into her, her head pressing back into the bed and nails dragging hard down his back, teeth firmly embedded in her lower lip to try from crying out too loudly; She had neighbors after all, and the walls weren’t exactly thick.<br/><br/>But those kisses… The lower he went, the more her back continued to arch, the more her body trembled beneath his. Whimpers fell freely from her all the while, continuing even after the contact at their hips broke, because of where he was moving. Yes, she wanted the contact to continue, but knew it’d have to come to an end eventually, as his pants would have been a hindrance regardless. Lower, and her stomach trembled under his lips, his tongue…and trembled more when he reached her hips.<br/><br/>How he chose to remove her thong had her nearly shaking, hands gripping the comforter now, lifting her hips just a touch to try and make it go along faster. It was too slow, painfully slow. Her brain couldn’t decide if it was better to try breathing, or just throw in the towel all together, her chest heaving, shaking, her breaths shallow and scarce; about as scarce as her heartbeats felt.<br/><br/>And then everything seemed to stop. It took her a moment to realize it, as she’d been so wrapped up in what he’d been doing, how close he’d been, but when she did, her head lifted to peek down at him. Where her eyes had been half-lidded, fairly glazed over, they grew sharper, wider, needier, fairly begging for it without saying a word. There were no words to describe it, the need she felt, the desire for Athan in that moment. Had he not licked across her soon after that look was given, she’d have found the words to beg, if not pulled him in herself.<br/><br/>As it was, he took that long lick and her head dropped back into the bed, back lifting off of it and hips bucking a bit under the touch. The next pause drew a frustrated groan that tapered off into a moan with the next lick, this one direct and intense. Her hips lifted more, almost trying to get away from him, as his finger joined in the fray, earning him a cry, bearing his name, louder than those before it. “Athan!” It was deep in her throat, husky, but loud and needy. The licks, the finger, all of it, she wanted more.<br/><br/>A lot more.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">His name on her lips was music to his ears and spurned him into further action. Over and over again, his tongue flicked across her clit as he worked his finger in and out of her. Here so close to a main artery he felt his hunger return and felt his desire for her increase ten-fold. More than just what they were doing, but for that he would have to wait. <br/><br/>Desire mounted more and more with each passing moment, so he used his one free hand to work on removing his pants. It was tricky and more than once he lost contact with her, but it was brief and he was back to giving his full attention to her clit with his tongue. Keen senses finely tuned into her and what she wanted, what she needed and so he continued until she signaled that she needed more. That she wanted more.</span><br/><br/>There were so many sensations to pay attention to, body feeling like it was on fire and would combust at any moment. His tongue on her clit sent tingles throughout her body with each pass over, and his finger moving in and out, for a while, was intense. But, as the aching desire for him grew, the finger wasn’t enough, not by a long shot. For a while, however, she couldn’t muster up the verbal coordination to express it, nor did she have the will to lift her head up right then and try to implore him with eyes alone.<br/><br/>Each time he lost contact with her, for whatever reason, there was another groan, a whimper of annoyance, even a growl at one point, satiated when his tongue returned, when his finger slipped back inside. And, for a while, she’d be fine with what he was giving her, the ache at her core not demanding much more…but then the urge for more, the need would return and her body would become more and more insistent.<br/><br/>Only when it became too much to ignore did she finally concede, raising her head to look down at him, tongue darting out over her lips and pulling the lower in to bite down hard on. “More,” she begged quietly, stifling the resounding moan in her throat with the lip between her teeth, fading out into a whimper. “Please, Athan…”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Quickly, without hinting at his true nature, he stopped what he was doing and repositioned himself a top her. With one hand he guided himself and lined up, while the other held his weight as he braced himself on the bed. When his eyes met her own again, he waited while he searched her eyes, for what he was not sure. <br/><br/>Perhaps a last minute regret? Hesitation? Anything that would tell him to stop and put an end to this moment. <br/><br/>Yet, he saw none of that. All he saw was her desire, need and want for him. <br/><br/>After that there was no longer a reason to wait so he gave her what the both of them had been waiting for. Slowly he slid into her taking care to push until he was inside completely and it was at this moment that he choose to reclaim her lips in yet another heated kiss. Out with the same casual pace, he extracted himself, only to then push in a bit faster and harder. In and out, each time the speed and force would increase until the pace was rough and fast.</span><br/><br/>For the span of a heartbeat, she thought he’d deny her her request, make her ask again, as another before him had. The thought of all out begging used to be nails on a chalkboard, used to leave a foul taste in her mouth, but this time…had he asked it, she’d have done it. In that moment, she wouldn’t have cared how many times he asked her what she wanted, how she wanted it, how loud she had to say it, she would have complied.<br/><br/>But, for all she’d prepared to beg, he didn’t make her do it. He was already atop her, bracing on the bed and lining himself up, her body aching with the anticipation of what was to come. Eyes meeting his, her lips parted, breath hitching as she waited for it, the deep hues looking back and forth between both of his blue ones, not sure what he was looking for, what he sought in her gaze. A silent “please” was mouthed, though cut off as he slowly slid into her, back arching hard off of the bed, eyes drifting closed as her lips parted, a moan welling up in their throat; A moan that never made it out as she was too breathless to manage it.<br/><br/>And then it began, the struggle to breathe as he moved in and out of her core, lips captured in a passionate kiss. Her tongue danced along his, her hands clinging to his shoulders, his back, digging in to pull him as close as she could. Initially, she tried to raise her hips to meet his in time, to pull him in deeper, but as the pace increased, it became counterproductive, so she stopped, instead just letting him pound into her. Breaking the kiss, her lips moved to his throat, kissing, suckling, biting, nails digging in harder as breathy moans and cries of his name reverberated against his neck.<br/><br/>Her heart pounded hard in her chest, a fine sheen of sweat clinging to her skin, trembling beneath him. Each breath was shakier than the last, the end she wanted to reach looming closer and closer with every thrust into her, but wasn’t quite enough. Not yet.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">It was all so intense, so powerful and all-consuming that for a moment he forgot he was a vampire and that he was anything else but a man. A man with a woman that wanted him and he wanted her. Over and over again he plunged into her. Her name mingled in moans that came from his lips as he sought to drive them both to that delicious peek which was fast approaching. <br/><br/>“Oh...God...Tempest!” he cried out as he felt himself hit the peek. Spasm, after spasm he felt himself empty into her until he was completely spent. A final thrust was given to bury himself completely into her, his lips along her neck peppered her flesh with kisses and nibbles. Soft nuzzles and murmured sweet nothings mingled in with the sweet affections. <br/><br/>The high he had been riding began to fade and all the worries and concerns about whether this was the right thing to do or not slowly started to creep into his thoughts.</span><br/><br/>His peak was what she’d needed, what her body had held out for. The cry of her name, the feel of him spasming and spilling into her sent her over the edge, lips parting though no sound emerged. She had no air to cry out with, legs locking behind him to try and pull him in as deep as she could manage, nails thoroughly embedded in his back, muscles repeatedly spasming and relaxing, wave after wave of delicious release rolling over her until they eventually ceased, the trembling more than it’d been prior, but less than the spasms themselves.<br/><br/>Head shifting to the side so he could access her neck better, Tempest tried to breathe, to think, her hold on him relaxing as one of her hands slid up and down his back, lightly caressing over his skin. Eyes that had squeezed shut now opened, half-lidded, not particularly focused on anything while she relished in the aftermath of what they’d done. The other hand shifted to his chin, hooking it and pulling it up to her for a soft kiss, a gentle kiss, taking her turn to search his eyes now that it was over.<br/><br/>What’d she search for? The specifics she wasn’t sure of, but something resembling regret was on the list .Thumb smoothing out over his cheek, she offered him a small smile, a tired smile, eyes slowly blinking in their glazed over state before taking another kiss and releasing hold on his chin.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">There was some reluctance when he pulled out to lay beside her instead, his arms held out of her so that she could rest against his chest instead. Now it was his turn to her face up to his own, a kiss soft and sweet planted on her lips with a tenderness he had forgotten he could do. When it ended he smiled, “I have to admit I am feeling incredibly safe right now...” he teased. Wholly, content to just lay there with her and never move for as long as she could stand it.</span><br/><br/>As he pulled out, her body spasmed anew, another sound escaping akin to a moan though not quite. And, the offered chest was taken up, getting settled against it as her chin was lifted toward his, another kiss shared and another heart beat skipped. “I’m glad,” she replied to that, her own smile answering his. “It’s…exhausting keeping you safe…but I’m glad I could help.” She stole another kiss and settled back into his chest, a small yawn escaping as she nestled in. Pressing a few soft kisses to his chest, finger caressing over the skin it touched, she relaxed, body melting into him, into the bed, the motion stopping and her breathing evening out as she drifted off to sleep.<br/><br/>All other thoughts could wait until tomorrow. For now, she lingered in the high, the afterglow, and was happy to do so even in sleep. Any doubts and worries could be dealt with later.