Chapter 113: [113] The Morning After Comes With Status Updates
Xavier stared at the ceiling, his arm pinned beneath Naomi’s sleeping form. His muscles ached pleasantly, body loose in a way he hadn’t felt since arriving in this frozen world. The straw mattress had long since given up its shape, crushed flat from hours of vigorous activity.
Beside him, Naomi slept deeply, her face relaxed in a way he’d never seen at the academy. Her leg was thrown possessively over his, one arm draped across his chest like she feared he might vanish.
Xavier glanced at the translucent pink interface floating above his palm. Soul Bond: Naomi Phillips - 24%. Higher than before, but not the leap he’d expected after such an intense night.
Naomi stirred, eyelids fluttering. Without fully waking, she pressed closer, lips finding his in a sleepy, open-mouthed kiss. Her hips shifted against his thigh, a reflexive grind that sent heat pooling in his gut despite his exhaustion. Even half-conscious, her body sought his.
"Mmm," she murmured against his neck. "Still here."
Xavier’s hand slid down her back to cup her ass, squeezing gently. "Not going anywhere."
Her lips curved against his skin. "Better not." She winced as she shifted, the soreness between her legs apparently making itself known. Rather than pulling away, she pressed closer, tucking her head under his chin.
Naomi’s breathing deepened again as she drifted back to sleep. They’d need supplies for the journey. Warm clothes, food, weapons. Money. Well, Nessa took care of the money part for them.
And then there was the conversation they needed to have. About his abilities, about Soul Bonds, about the uncomfortable reality that their relationship—whatever it was—couldn’t be exclusive if he wanted to reach his full potential.
There was no good way to tell a woman you’d just spent the night with that you needed other partners.
Worse, he hadn’t considered protection. In the heat of the moment, with Naomi’s legs wrapped around him and her voice breaking on his name, the thought hadn’t crossed his mind. Did bodies in this world even work the same way?