[ His heart flutters, teeth catching his lip, because she only ever teases him over text like that when she wants something. Specifically something to do with his cock.
And gods it feels good to be allowed to just enjoy that and not be worried there's something else there, some line to toe carefully. ]
Please, my nymph. Bind me with thoughts of you while I have to be away.
[ She sends a closeup image of her stomach, where the o-ring on the gift she found at Tiny's sits connecting the straps and ribbons that cross over the rest of her skin just out of frame. It could be anything, really, but it's certainly suggestive. ]
[ He's seen that stomach enough times to recognize it instantly, and if this were any other situation, he'd be embarrassed at how quickly his cock is reacting. ]
Not in a way that made my pants too tight to be comfortable, no.
Suddenly I find that some of these errands can wait until tomorrow.
[ She wants nothing more than for him to burst through the front door, but she can force herself to wait a little longer, for the sake of teasing him, and in the interest of keeping him with her once he got here. ]
Better do them now so you don't have to go anywhere later. I want to make sure you're welcomed thoroughly!
In the interest of keeping you close, my nymph. I'll be [ he types and deletes there, then home, then there, before settling on ] home in an hour or so.
[ And he's already deciding what he doesn't have to do today, and how he can do the rest as quickly as possible.
It's a little over an hour later that he's shouldering the front door open, his few things in one bag and some supplies in the other. ]
Just how happy hearing him refer to this house as his home made her is more than reflected in the joyful way she throws herself into his arms the moment Balthier makes it through the door. When she put this very brilliantly red, very revealingly strappy garment on after an impulsive afternoon at Tiny's, Aerith had planned to keep her distance and let him look for a while before touching, but her heart had felt too ready to jump out of her chest to contain the feeling, or herself.
"You're back," it comes out as a sweet and soft murmur, uttered contentedly as she rises onto her toes, leaning into him and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Aerith's eyes meet his, her happiness rising all the more as she relaxes into the notion that she doesn't have to hide the adoration on her face. She loves to look at him, and he's made it clear that he's more than fine with that.
Hands full, he still manages to catch her best he can, laughing as he tilts his head to nuzzle against her unabashedly pleased face. It's still foreign to see the adoration radiating off of her, and it stuns him a little, like too bright sun, but this is light he wants his eyes to adjust to.
"So long as it is in my power, I will always come back," he says gently. He won't make false promises, and he knows Zack didn't mean to leave her, but he knows the depth of that kind of wound, too.
"But I can't very well hold you with all this in my arms. Let me set it down, and then let me look at whatever this is you've got on." As quick as she was, he hadn't seen much of it, and it's only when they disentangle he realizes how very enticing it is.
Balthier isn't one to get turned on with looks alone often, but his pants are tight enough that Aerith is free to see the immediate effects of this outfit. And given how things have changed between them, he doesn't bother trying to hide the way surprise turns to adoration on his features, the mix of her looking so ready to drive him wild and her own adoring expression new and entirely overwhelming. He keeps thinking he can't want her more, and yet here they are.
At this point, he's so familiar that while she does go a little red in the face as he looks her over (with her turning around and giving a little twirl to show off the garment while he does of course) Aerith doesn't blush as furiously as she might have with anyone else. The piece of lingerie barely exists, it's hard to think of anyone she'd be willing to surprise like this but Balthier.
"It's missing this," she says, her voice growing quieter and warmer as she holds up the collar she grabbed off the top of the dresser on her way down to greet him.
This is hardly the first game they've played, but there's something pointedly different with her sober and blushing softly even as she's concocted this for them. Vulnerability, trust.
That discomfort from the first time she asked him to do this swells up. What if this changes something between them? What if it isn't the same, now that there are feelings? What if he can't live up to the precedent he's set, or he pushes her too hard?
But it was alright then. He trusts her entirely -- and she trusts him. The trick is trusting himself.
He wants to be that person for her.
Setting the bags down, he clasps her hands over the collar, pulling her toward him for a gentle kiss.
"You know you can always have whatever you would like, my nymph," he murmurs. "At any time." It's enough of an acknowledgement that she can change her mind that he feels alright taking the collar from her hands and gently fastening it around her neck. His hands shake ever so slightly, a mix of anticipation and disbelief as he watches their collar settle against her flesh. His body knows what its use means, even if his head is reeling.
This close to her, fingers already grazing her skin, he can't resist sliding his fingers over the ribbony fabric, tracing the outlines of her breasts and already imagining the way the tightness will increase her pleasure, the sight of hers increasing his.
"First, we are going to go upstairs and get a toy in you."
"All I want is to be anything and everything you want today, my prince," she tilts her chin up and kisses him gently before leaving him be while he fastens the collar around her neck. She wants this for him, wants to follow his lead and spoil him with affection, wants his first night here, as an official resident, to be spent leaving him breathless and grinning while he dazedly kisses her hair after spending himself inside her.
Whatever pang of anxiety that might have rippled through her after the collar settles around her neck, just below one of the bows holding the minuscule ensemble on, evaporates the moment she feels his fingers tracing over her skin. It's familiar and thrilling at the same time, and she moves closer to his hands, the color on her cheeks deepening when he speaks again, her eyes widening a touch at the mention of a toy.
"Are you going to let me welcome you home after, my–" There's a beat pause as she stops herself and turns towards the stairs to try and hide the way she falters. "Prince?" The bow above her ass bustles as she beats a hasty path up the stairs, swallowing back the word love.
He manages to keep a frown from crossing his face, not wanting her to think she is in anyway displeasing him. But the truth is -- all he wants is to please her and be nearby. But he wants to give her what she wants, and he knows how much she's enjoyed this in the past.
The smile that follows is easy, watching her redden and lean into his touch, eyes widening at his offer. If this is what she's in the mood for, he certainly can be too.
But his playful answer is cut off when she turns away, faltering oddly and speeding ahead. He doesn't think this is part of the game -- even if his brain temporarily short circuits on how cute that bow is tied around her, her ass bounding up the stairs.
So he gives chase, scooping her up from behind as they crest the top of the stairs, holding her tight to him as he kisses the side top of her head.
"I do not have the willpower to make you wait if you don't want to," he murmurs. "Do you want me to tease you first, or do you want me to ravish you and be ravished?"
Laughing in surprise as he lifts her off the ground Aerith reaches both arms back, trying to find a way to embrace him from this angle. When she hears him tell her that he lacks the willpower for their game, part of her feels oddly touched, like it's a reminder that he's here for her, and not for what they get up to when they're alone.
She twists in his grasp, carefully sticking a foot out for purchase so that she can shift around in his arms without sacrificing any closeness. After her eyes meet his, Aerith hums happily, reaching up to touch his cheeks. "Honestly? I'd just like to be close to you."
The game is thrilling, and if he wanted to keep it going she would have been happy to submit herself to anything he asked her to do, but that he doesn't want to do anything but be with her is even more exhilarating. "We can take the collar off when we get to bed," she adds warmly before kissing him and taking a step back, tugging him along with her.
It's always been about her, on one level or another. The fact that he can even want her this was is predicated on it.
But he can understand, because it fills him with such deep warmth that she's the same, wanting closeness with him more than any game. And there's absolutely no effort to hide the adoration on his face as he smiles down at her, gently caressing her face and hair. And he laughs when she pulls him with him, eager as ever.
"Yes," he agrees. "But you can put it on me -- not for our game, but because I want to wear your gift while you're spoiling me with this." His free hand traces down her side, skipping over the ribbons.
"Actually," he considers as they reach their room, dipping down to kiss her. "I also want to see you in this." He's unbuttoning his shirt and it doesn't take much time to get it off before he drapes it around her, smiling warmly and feeling a little disbelieving. There's so much closeness they haven't explored, really, the intimacy of shared things, of saying how they feel, of wanting to see her in his things.
There's a moment of confusion when he pulls away to take his shirt off, but she's beaming by the time Balthier drapes it over her shoulders, happy to slide her arms through the sleeves and pull it around herself more securely.
"If I knew you liked me in your shirts I would have worn them while you were home before," with a laugh, Aerith turns around. The front of his shirt hangs open billowing apart as she moves to reveal the rest of the minimal ensemble.
When she stops she leans in, kissing him while she unfastens the collar around her neck, delighting in the way they both seem intent on enjoying one another without any pretense of a game in the way. Reaching for his hand, Aerith pulls it to her, doubling up the collar and sliding it onto his wrist like a bracelet before she laces her fingers with his.
"Wear it like this, you're not my anything tonight, you're just mine."
"While I was home?" he laughs back, brow raised. He's both charmed and a little impressed. "You could have asked. I would have said yes." He knows what she didn't, knows why that was dangerous, but the thought she's wanted him close for longer makes him beam right back.
And seeing that strappy garment on her with the shirt around it is enough to stop his mind for a moment, eyes going down her front and mouth falling slightly open in forgotten words. When she comes to kiss him and take off the collar, he chuckles again, combing through her hair. "It's not fair that you keep finding my weaknesses," he teases. He doesn't waste the opportunity to squeeze her to him, enjoying the mix of her skin and the fabric against his now bare chest. But he lets her go when she pulls for his hand, and his smile turns into something softer and warmer.
"I like that," he assures her, and when she's let go to lace her fingers in his, he loops an arm tight around her shoulders, curling his head down to kiss her hard.
They've done so much together, and it's all been wonderful, but this may be his favorite.
"Why not?" She does her best to sound coy even though she's still smiling like an idiot.
"Every time I learn about one of your weaknesses really great things happen!" It's something that went both ways, a manifestation and a benefit of the trust and comfort they've cultivated between them.
Watching him smile at her like that makes her heart feel too big for her chest, but there's nothing uncomfortable about the sensation - it's too joyful and content a feeling for that.
Tugging on his hand she draws herself up against him, her toes curling happily against the floor as she loses herself to that kiss and the feeling of having Balthier close, and any sort of pretense very, very far away.
Slowly breaking that kiss off, she stays close enough that her lips brush against his when she speaks in a low, adoring whisper. "Welcome home."
"Now I'm going to be filled with fantasies of you lounging around in my clothes," he teases her. It's not untrue, and it's not something he would have dreamed of admitting to her before. He likes it though, the idea that she's wanted to be close to him like that.
Her enthusiasm makes him smiled all the more, chest warm and full as hers. "I suppose you have a point," he says, kissing her playfully on the nose. It's only a moment before she pulls up against him, that kiss and having her close the only things he cares about. And when she finally breaks, staying so close he can feel her breath on his lips, he's nearly trembling with the bigness of his feelings.
"It's good to be home," he murmurs back, nuzzling against her nose before shifting so that she can feel how hard he is beneath his leather pants, marveling at what a pair they make. One hand sneaks under the shirt, trailing across skin and ribbon before coming to circle her breast lightly, trailing on the underside and then tweaking her nipple the way she likes. There's hunger today, but more to see her glowing and sated, to have her happy and exhausted and curled up with him after.
And knowing there is no point he has to get up and leave, no ending to this meeting, because they are home.
"Of course I do, and it's something I'd like to keep doing." She's found out a lot about herself being with him, and he's woken up parts of her she was happy to keep out of everyone's reach. What they have is wonderful, both familiar, and uncharted territory at the same time. The last time she felt love, she had been young and full of wonder over it, but short-sighted. This time she knows herself better, the years have made her more sure of herself - this place has forced her to be more sure of herself. It's still full of wonder, but she feels more empowered to actively partake in it, rather than just letting it happen to her.
She softens when he calls it home, but desire threads through her seconds later after Balthier presses himself against her while his hands tug at her nipples, pulling a little whimper of surprise out of her.
"Yes, it is," her gaze holds his as she agrees before the corners of her eyes crease mischievously, and her hand slides between their bodies to rub against his cock through his trousers. "Even if we're not playing any games tonight, I'm still not done welcoming you."
"I would too," he admits. It's not a thing he knew about himself before he came here, before he was with her, but now it's precious to him. He loves how freeing it is, and how with every experiment, every adventure, he feels closer to her, and more rooted in himself. Of course, living together, they'll have no lack of chances for this place to push them into compromising situations, but -- it's not just that. It's this. The revisiting their discoveries together, sober, the tenderness and the desire all together.
He chuckles, pleased, as she whimpers with surprise before melting back to mischievous want. It's hardly a moment before he gives her a hiss back. "No proper games," he agrees, fingers walking down to tug on one of the straps holding her in. Heat pools in his groin. He's wanted her in something like this for awhile now, and it's certainly past his expectation. "But I still want to get you worked up." And that's always been the thing that's felt most dangerous, letting their games and affection mix with no structure to pin their feelings on. It's exciting now, empowering, and he runs his other hand behind her, grabbing her bare ass with his open hand as he presses his hard, covered cock to her opening, kissing her hard as he does.
"Do you?" It's hard to sound skeptical when the question is followed up by such a contended-sounding sigh that turns to something far more pleasured when he grabs her ass and pulls her flush against him, letting her feel how hard he is for her.
"Good thing you already know my weaknesses too-" Aerith stops herself before the word love slips out like it's been threatening to do since around the time she told him she thought she would need more time to get to that place. She'd been falling on old instincts and protecting herself only to realize very quickly it wasn't needed at all.
"What if I get you worked up first?" Her hips tilt toward him, pressing herself against his cock as it strains against his clothing as she ducks her head down to bite his neck.
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Not as nicely as you, and not since I was little, but you're very inspiring.
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Being a pirate and generally brilliant makes me an expert.
I would love for you to draw me.
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I would love to be drawn by you, so, we're even.
First thing though, we're going to have a little housewarming party. Just the two of us.
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You can test whatever you want whenever you want, my nymph.
Oh, are we? Should I be bringing something special?
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That's right. I have a present for you and everything.
If you ask nicely, I'll even give you a hint.
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And gods it feels good to be allowed to just enjoy that and not be worried there's something else there, some line to toe carefully. ]
Please, my nymph. Bind me with thoughts of you while I have to be away.
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[ She sends a closeup image of her stomach, where the o-ring on the gift she found at Tiny's sits connecting the straps and ribbons that cross over the rest of her skin just out of frame. It could be anything, really, but it's certainly suggestive. ]
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Not in a way that made my pants too tight to be comfortable, no.
Suddenly I find that some of these errands can wait until tomorrow.
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Better do them now so you don't have to go anywhere later. I want to make sure you're welcomed thoroughly!
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[ And he's already deciding what he doesn't have to do today, and how he can do the rest as quickly as possible.
It's a little over an hour later that he's shouldering the front door open, his few things in one bag and some supplies in the other. ]
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"You're back," it comes out as a sweet and soft murmur, uttered contentedly as she rises onto her toes, leaning into him and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Aerith's eyes meet his, her happiness rising all the more as she relaxes into the notion that she doesn't have to hide the adoration on her face. She loves to look at him, and he's made it clear that he's more than fine with that.
medicinal morons
"So long as it is in my power, I will always come back," he says gently. He won't make false promises, and he knows Zack didn't mean to leave her, but he knows the depth of that kind of wound, too.
"But I can't very well hold you with all this in my arms. Let me set it down, and then let me look at whatever this is you've got on." As quick as she was, he hadn't seen much of it, and it's only when they disentangle he realizes how very enticing it is.
Balthier isn't one to get turned on with looks alone often, but his pants are tight enough that Aerith is free to see the immediate effects of this outfit. And given how things have changed between them, he doesn't bother trying to hide the way surprise turns to adoration on his features, the mix of her looking so ready to drive him wild and her own adoring expression new and entirely overwhelming. He keeps thinking he can't want her more, and yet here they are.
they are so soothing to the soul
"It's missing this," she says, her voice growing quieter and warmer as she holds up the collar she grabbed off the top of the dresser on her way down to greet him.
"But I wanted you to put it on."
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That discomfort from the first time she asked him to do this swells up. What if this changes something between them? What if it isn't the same, now that there are feelings? What if he can't live up to the precedent he's set, or he pushes her too hard?
But it was alright then. He trusts her entirely -- and she trusts him. The trick is trusting himself.
He wants to be that person for her.
Setting the bags down, he clasps her hands over the collar, pulling her toward him for a gentle kiss.
"You know you can always have whatever you would like, my nymph," he murmurs. "At any time." It's enough of an acknowledgement that she can change her mind that he feels alright taking the collar from her hands and gently fastening it around her neck. His hands shake ever so slightly, a mix of anticipation and disbelief as he watches their collar settle against her flesh. His body knows what its use means, even if his head is reeling.
This close to her, fingers already grazing her skin, he can't resist sliding his fingers over the ribbony fabric, tracing the outlines of her breasts and already imagining the way the tightness will increase her pleasure, the sight of hers increasing his.
"First, we are going to go upstairs and get a toy in you."
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Whatever pang of anxiety that might have rippled through her after the collar settles around her neck, just below one of the bows holding the minuscule ensemble on, evaporates the moment she feels his fingers tracing over her skin. It's familiar and thrilling at the same time, and she moves closer to his hands, the color on her cheeks deepening when he speaks again, her eyes widening a touch at the mention of a toy.
"Are you going to let me welcome you home after, my–" There's a beat pause as she stops herself and turns towards the stairs to try and hide the way she falters. "Prince?" The bow above her ass bustles as she beats a hasty path up the stairs, swallowing back the word love.
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The smile that follows is easy, watching her redden and lean into his touch, eyes widening at his offer. If this is what she's in the mood for, he certainly can be too.
But his playful answer is cut off when she turns away, faltering oddly and speeding ahead. He doesn't think this is part of the game -- even if his brain temporarily short circuits on how cute that bow is tied around her, her ass bounding up the stairs.
So he gives chase, scooping her up from behind as they crest the top of the stairs, holding her tight to him as he kisses the side top of her head.
"I do not have the willpower to make you wait if you don't want to," he murmurs. "Do you want me to tease you first, or do you want me to ravish you and be ravished?"
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She twists in his grasp, carefully sticking a foot out for purchase so that she can shift around in his arms without sacrificing any closeness. After her eyes meet his, Aerith hums happily, reaching up to touch his cheeks. "Honestly? I'd just like to be close to you."
The game is thrilling, and if he wanted to keep it going she would have been happy to submit herself to anything he asked her to do, but that he doesn't want to do anything but be with her is even more exhilarating. "We can take the collar off when we get to bed," she adds warmly before kissing him and taking a step back, tugging him along with her.
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But he can understand, because it fills him with such deep warmth that she's the same, wanting closeness with him more than any game. And there's absolutely no effort to hide the adoration on his face as he smiles down at her, gently caressing her face and hair. And he laughs when she pulls him with him, eager as ever.
"Yes," he agrees. "But you can put it on me -- not for our game, but because I want to wear your gift while you're spoiling me with this." His free hand traces down her side, skipping over the ribbons.
"Actually," he considers as they reach their room, dipping down to kiss her. "I also want to see you in this." He's unbuttoning his shirt and it doesn't take much time to get it off before he drapes it around her, smiling warmly and feeling a little disbelieving. There's so much closeness they haven't explored, really, the intimacy of shared things, of saying how they feel, of wanting to see her in his things.
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"If I knew you liked me in your shirts I would have worn them while you were home before," with a laugh, Aerith turns around. The front of his shirt hangs open billowing apart as she moves to reveal the rest of the minimal ensemble.
When she stops she leans in, kissing him while she unfastens the collar around her neck, delighting in the way they both seem intent on enjoying one another without any pretense of a game in the way. Reaching for his hand, Aerith pulls it to her, doubling up the collar and sliding it onto his wrist like a bracelet before she laces her fingers with his.
"Wear it like this, you're not my anything tonight, you're just mine."
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And seeing that strappy garment on her with the shirt around it is enough to stop his mind for a moment, eyes going down her front and mouth falling slightly open in forgotten words. When she comes to kiss him and take off the collar, he chuckles again, combing through her hair. "It's not fair that you keep finding my weaknesses," he teases. He doesn't waste the opportunity to squeeze her to him, enjoying the mix of her skin and the fabric against his now bare chest. But he lets her go when she pulls for his hand, and his smile turns into something softer and warmer.
"I like that," he assures her, and when she's let go to lace her fingers in his, he loops an arm tight around her shoulders, curling his head down to kiss her hard.
They've done so much together, and it's all been wonderful, but this may be his favorite.
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"Every time I learn about one of your weaknesses really great things happen!" It's something that went both ways, a manifestation and a benefit of the trust and comfort they've cultivated between them.
Watching him smile at her like that makes her heart feel too big for her chest, but there's nothing uncomfortable about the sensation - it's too joyful and content a feeling for that.
Tugging on his hand she draws herself up against him, her toes curling happily against the floor as she loses herself to that kiss and the feeling of having Balthier close, and any sort of pretense very, very far away.
Slowly breaking that kiss off, she stays close enough that her lips brush against his when she speaks in a low, adoring whisper. "Welcome home."
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Her enthusiasm makes him smiled all the more, chest warm and full as hers. "I suppose you have a point," he says, kissing her playfully on the nose. It's only a moment before she pulls up against him, that kiss and having her close the only things he cares about. And when she finally breaks, staying so close he can feel her breath on his lips, he's nearly trembling with the bigness of his feelings.
"It's good to be home," he murmurs back, nuzzling against her nose before shifting so that she can feel how hard he is beneath his leather pants, marveling at what a pair they make. One hand sneaks under the shirt, trailing across skin and ribbon before coming to circle her breast lightly, trailing on the underside and then tweaking her nipple the way she likes. There's hunger today, but more to see her glowing and sated, to have her happy and exhausted and curled up with him after.
And knowing there is no point he has to get up and leave, no ending to this meeting, because they are home.
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She softens when he calls it home, but desire threads through her seconds later after Balthier presses himself against her while his hands tug at her nipples, pulling a little whimper of surprise out of her.
"Yes, it is," her gaze holds his as she agrees before the corners of her eyes crease mischievously, and her hand slides between their bodies to rub against his cock through his trousers. "Even if we're not playing any games tonight, I'm still not done welcoming you."
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He chuckles, pleased, as she whimpers with surprise before melting back to mischievous want. It's hardly a moment before he gives her a hiss back. "No proper games," he agrees, fingers walking down to tug on one of the straps holding her in. Heat pools in his groin. He's wanted her in something like this for awhile now, and it's certainly past his expectation. "But I still want to get you worked up." And that's always been the thing that's felt most dangerous, letting their games and affection mix with no structure to pin their feelings on. It's exciting now, empowering, and he runs his other hand behind her, grabbing her bare ass with his open hand as he presses his hard, covered cock to her opening, kissing her hard as he does.
A welcome indeed.
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"Good thing you already know my weaknesses too-" Aerith stops herself before the word love slips out like it's been threatening to do since around the time she told him she thought she would need more time to get to that place. She'd been falling on old instincts and protecting herself only to realize very quickly it wasn't needed at all.
"What if I get you worked up first?" Her hips tilt toward him, pressing herself against his cock as it strains against his clothing as she ducks her head down to bite his neck.
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