The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

I rose and walked around the table to where he sat
without really understanding what I was doing. He tilted his
head back, watching me silently. I didn’t let myself think
about what I was doing or if it was normal or acceptable. I
just did what I wanted, what felt right to me. My senses
were open to him, and I felt a rush of warmth and sweetness
as I sat in his lap. His arms immediately wound around me,
and he held me tightly as I wiggled as close to him as I
could get, tucking my head under his chin.
I closed my eyes. “I hope this chair doesn’t collapse on
us.”
Casteel chuckled as he dragged a hand over my hair.
“I’ll break your fall if it does.”
“Stop being sweet.”
“I was just pointing out that I would, indeed, break your
fall if the chair broke as it would be me who hit the floor
first,” he said, brushing my hair back from the side of my
face. “And you’re the one being sweet right now.” His arms
tightened around me and then relaxed only slightly. “I like
it.”
“I like you,” I murmured, pressing my fingers into his
chest. “You know what it means to me, having that choice.
That freedom.” Emotion swelled in my chest and burned its
way up my throat. “It means everything to me.”
He slid his hand around to my cheek, tilting my head
back. Dipping his head, he kissed me softly. “I know.”
“You are worthy of me, Cas. I need you to know that.”
“With you in my arms, I feel worthy,” he said, pressing
his lips against mine once more. “I do.”
“I want you to feel worthy of me when I’m not in your
arms.” I placed my fingers against his cheeks. “Why would
you think you’re not? After all you’ve done for me?”
He was quiet, and I could feel the sourness of shame as
thick lashes lifted. “What about all I’ve done to you? I know
you’ve accepted these things, but that doesn’t change that I