Page 35 of Reckless Bonds
“You shower first. I’ll start a fire.”
He gives me a grateful nod and heads inside while I gather some wood from around the campsite. Once arranged, I go over to a small picnic table beside the cabin to grab the lighter. A strange sound drifts from the small open window, too tall for me to see through. I think it’s the bathroom window. I pause, curious.
There it is. A little too low for me to make out any words, but there’s panting breaths.
Panting breaths.
Like… well. The only thing that comes to mind is something that can’t be true. I step away, moving on with my errand that I have honestly completely forgotten.
I pause.
There’s something else. A soft rhythmic sound, like rustling fabric or-
A grunting moan punctuates my realization.
Oh. Shit.
Heisin there jerking off.
I stand there in shock, staring at the cracked window. My cheeks burn when I realize what I’m listening to. Did he hear me walk up? Does he know I can hear him or that the bathroom window is even open? The sound of slapping skin grows faster, louder. A flood of desire washes through me as I remember the way he felt pressed against me all day. And then I remember his low, growly voice whispering encouragement into my neck.
I bite my lip. I can’t help it; I lean closer and listen.
A passionate crescendo builds faster, cresting the wave with two audible words, “Fuuuck, Mira.”
I bite back an embarrassing moan at the erotic image forming in my mind: him thrusting into himself. I know that it’s not necessarily something that’s on everyone’s “oh wow this is hot” list, but I’ve always had a fantasy about having a guy masturbate in front of me. They just hold themselves so differently than I would if I were touching them, and it’s sexy as hell. Currently, Sunder is giving me an audio performance that is inspiring some stunning mental images. The idea of seeing him come, watching him stroke himself over and over until he loses control—all the while thinking of me. It makes me feel strangely powerful.
The sound of the shower turning on pulls me from my dirty thoughts.
I wait another minute before going inside to get the fire starter. Once the fire is roaring, I sit silently staring into it, reliving the day. I can’t shake his voice from my head. The way he breathed out my name.
I startle when a paper plate holding a sandwich and some baby carrots is thrust into my lap. “Oh. I didn’t hear you come back.”
Sunder takes a seat in the other Adirondack chair as I belatedly thank him for dinner. Bobble is already curled up, sleeping soundly in the fire’s warmth. The low, crackling roar is the only sound as we eat our meal in silence. I can no longer see the browning leaves blanketing the forest floor around us as night truly settles around us.
I steal a glance at him, remembering the desperation in his voice as he breathed out my name. Guilt settles into the background of my mind for eavesdropping on such a private moment. But…
He wants me. I chew my lip. I don’t remember the last time I felt so… desired.
Sunder tends the fire after we finish our dinner. The wind picks up around us, sending smoke in wild patterns around the fire, urging us this way and that. I look up and find Sunder’s intense brown eyes staring into me. The flames reflect against the dark pools, bringing new life and mystery to them.
Holding my gaze, he finally says, “You have a natural talent for this.”
I blink in surprise. Another compliment. This is getting suspicious.
“I only summoned the orb once today. I don’t exactly feel accomplished.”
“It takes most a lot longer than a couple of days to do that, and you don’t even have the full strength of your ability yet. You’re doing well.”
The respect in his voice takes me aback as the heat rises to my cheeks.
He’s just saying that to get into your pants. You suck and you know it.
Lowering my eyes, I fight the urge to dismiss my accomplishments or redirect the praise back to him and his training. If I’m going to treat myself better, I need to learn to accept compliments.
“Thank you.”
Fuck you, inner demons. Take that.