Sin in the Morning

Jenna tried to move in her sleep, but a hand kept her pinned to a place. It wasn't pressing heavily on her, yet she couldn't push it away easily.

Jenna opened her eyes and stared down first at the hand. She didn't need to raise her face to know who it belonged to.

"If you don't get your hand away from my body, I'll sta—"

Rhane groaned, slowly moving his hand, but not before brushing his finger on her own hand. "Others wake up to warm sun, singing birds after sharing a night with the woman they love... and mine is a death threat. Not what I imagined at all." He rubbed his eyes first, then turned to look at Jenna.

"Fine morning to you too, master." His low morning voice rumbled.

Jenna ignored his words, knowing he was teasing her. "What are you doing here?" she asked, trying not to let the low timbre voice affect her. As if it wasn't already.

Rhane sat up on the bed, using the pillow to hold up his back. "What else would I be doing in my room?"

"Then what am I doing here?" Jenna asked with a frown.

Rhane kissed his teeth and sighed. "You slept here, and yes, we both slept on the same bed the entire night. It's not the first time, so you shouldn't be surprised." He pointed at Jenna's eyes that widened in shock.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten so quick, getting me drunk and—" Rhane scowled dramatically, holding his chest.

Jenna licked her lips and looked away from the face that enjoyed mocking her. It was then her eyes fell on Rhane's chest. He was shirtless. And boy, did she want to run her fingers down his chest and feel those tough muscles.

Jenna's breath hitched, caught between lust and something dangerously close to reverence. Rhane sat there like sin sculpted in flesh, his ebony skin stretched over brutal muscle, marred by scars that weren't just healed but now looked like drawings.

His broad chest looked firm, and dusted with traces that played over every hard line like they worshipped him too. The cuts across his torso caught Jenna's attention the most, and she imagined how it'd feel to touch them. His forearm made heat rise just below her stomach, with the muscles that bulged every time he moved. And God help her, she wanted to run her fingers over each one, trace every cruel memory with trembling hands and lips. There was no softness to him. He was violence dressed in skin, and she couldn't look away. She didn't want to. Something deep and wicked in her ached to see what it would feel like to be ruined by him.

She always knew Rhane had the most sinful body to look at, but this close? So early in the morning? Nothing prepared Jenna for that thirst! Subconsciously, Jenna stuck out her tongue and wetted her lips with a soft gulp.

"Do you need water?" Rhane asked, breaking into her lustful thoughts.

Jenna's eyes lingered, helpless against the pull of him. When she realized he was referring to her, she blinked and turned her head to the side.

"I'm fine!" Her tone became sharper.

Rhane grunted, stretching his body to the side. "Don't forget to let me know... you look a little thirsty," his voice carried a sarcasm that didn't fly past Jenna.

Snapping her head around, Jenna glared at him. She hated the mirth that danced in his eyes as if he knew what she was thinking. Of course, he did! She had already embarrassed herself so many times in front of him.

"Don't you know you should wear a shirt?" Jenna asked after finding her voice in a lost sea of shamelessness.

Rhane twitched his lips. "I had to put on my trousers not to scare you, but I do sleep naked."

"Why?! Why would you sleep naked?" Jenna opened her mouth and closed it. "Why are you even telling me that?"

Rhane tilted his head, looking a little confused. "So you can get used to it as soon as possible." He shrugged. "And what do you mean why? I prefer sleeping naked," he remarked.

Jenna smirked. "This is why we shouldn't sleep in the same room! I mean, this is why you should let me go!"

Rhane moved a pillow up when Jenna kicked it with her leg. "Make another request, but I can't let you out of my sight. Not again."

Jenna rolled her eyes, shuffling on the bed.

"You know what? Forget it! I'm going to leave myself! If you force me to stay then... then... you're dangerous too."

"Didn't say I wasn't, just the kind of dangerous that will leave you breathless and begging for more." Rhane deadpanned with a serious face.

Jenna swallowed hard, feeling heat rush up to her neck and face. Her stomach flipped twice and she twitched. She wanted to sit and listen to more of the dangers Rhane had to offer. But no!

"I'm leaving!"

Rhane moved his hands behind his head and relaxed. "If I were you, I wouldn't stand."

It was too late, because Jenna stood up and found herself naked.

"Sweet heavens!" she cried, jumping back inside the bed. "Why did you- you—"

"What?" Rhane asked with an innocent face that didn't match the mischief in his hazel eyes. "I said don't stand, but you chose to... I guess you're the kind to learn by your mistakes."

Jenna fumed, biting her lower lip. "You slept with me naked?! Are you possessed?!"

"By love yes and- Didn't you notice you had nothing other than a blanket all along?" Rhane retorted, shifting the question.

Jenna gritted her teeth, feeling her anger rise each time Rhane spoke. She wasn't going to win this argument, and she knew it with the way Rhane was looking at her.

Grabbing the entire blanket, Jenna used it to cover her body. "I'm leaving! You're craz- ow," Jenna winced when she stretched her back by mistake.

The protective instincts in Rhane came alive, and the teasing disappeared. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!" Jenna snarled at him. "I'm leaving."

"Sit down, let me check your back," Rhane ordered, this time with a serious voice.

Jenna chuckled dryly. "Like I'll ever let you do that." She pushed her body up to stand, but the speed at which Rhane's arm curled around her stomach and pulled her back on the bed made Jenna hold her breath.

"Sit when I say sit, Jenna!" Rhane's voice vibrated against her neck. With ease, he lifted her by the stomach and made her lay down, pushing away the rest of the blanket.

Jenna shuddered, her eyes shaking with both fear and tension.

Rhane noticed this, and he quickly let go of her stomach and pulled back.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be harsh," he muttered. He'd been so happy Jenna didn't have a fever the whole night and was barely affected by the previous night's events. Rhane had enjoyed the banter way too long that he forgot she needed care for her injuries.

"I'm not a dog," Jenna muttered. "You don't ask me to sit like that."

Rhane rubbed his temples."I know... I shouldn't have," he exhaled. "My Supreme Master who controls my mind and everything... kindly sit so I can check your back... please?"

Jenna's tensed shoulders relaxed a little. She pulled a pillow closer and placed her head. "I'm already lying down. Thanks to you."

"Thank you," Rhane remarked. He moved his fingers across Jenna's back and hummed. "Three nights more and they'll be all dried up. You're healing well and will be jumping trees in no time."

Jenna scoffed, darting her eyes. "I can't jump trees, I'm too heavy. Don't you have eyes?" She shifted her body.

"I do," Rhane replied, leaning even closer. "And if trees aren't great mentions, you can jump on me."

Jenna tsked. "Will you now turn into a tree for me?" She said trying to patronize him.

"Who knows? I can make one specially for you to sit on," Rhane's voice was even closer to Jenna's ear at this point. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply Jenna's scent.

Jenna sucked in her breath, feeling a heat she didn't know if it came from her or from Rhane. "Can you make trees?"

"With your scent? I'm already harder than one."