I opened my eyes with a big smile I said, “I can touch you without getting sick.”

Chuckling and reaching up, he wiped a tear from the corner of my eye, “I can see that. What do you wanna do outside?”

I lifted my head a little and frowned, “What are you talking about?”

“Outside this residence? There are some PDA rules we have to follow but do you, the girl that doesn’t like being touched, want to be touched outside?”

I smiled finally understanding, “Yes. I am so happy… I don’t even have words. I wish you could touch me all the time.”

He burst out laughing. I frowned, “That’s not funny! It’s true!”

I started to get up. Why would he laugh at something like this?

“No, No, No,” he gasped for breath and tightening his grip again preventing me from leaving, “I’m sorry. What you said had multiple meetings and I was laughing at one that I know you didn’t mean.”

I stopped struggling, “What are you talking about? Because I didn’t think I would ever be able to touch someone.”

His smile never faltered, “Its a reference to sex, my dear.”

I felt the light bulb in my head go off. I quickly tucked my head under his chin to hide the rising heat as I blushed.

He chuckled and wrapped his arms around me. I closed my eyes relishing in the warmth around me. Maybe I can touch him cause he’s not human or maybe it’s an exposure thing? Like the more often I feel the individual person’s wave the more tolerance I have.

“Hey,” I felt a nudge. I dragged my eyes open and blinked in the pitch black. Where am I?

“Hey, are you awake?” I looked up. That’s Quinn’s voice. Oh, right!

“Yeah. Sorry, I must have dozed off.”

“It’s okay. I did too. What time is it?” Carefully I stood up. Reaching out, I felt around grabbing my communication device.

“It’s dead. Hold on.” I started feeling around in the dark trying to find the matches and candles I usually use at night. I shielded my eyes as a sudden light broke the darkness.

“I got it. Mine’s not dead.” I looked from Quinn’s phone to his grinning face. Looking back at the table I saw the candles and matches. Quickly, I took to lighting the cluster of candles I kept on the table.

“So, what’s the time?” I asked not daring to look at his face. How could I fall asleep on a stranger? Did I actually touch him or was that a dream? No. No. That wasn’t a dream otherwise I wouldn’t have woke up pressed against him.

“2:36”

“Oh! Oh no!” I placed my face in my hands.

“Hey! What’s wrong?” I looked up at his puzzled face.

“Don’t tell me you can’t see the complication here?”

His face broke into a grin, “It’s not a complication,” he crouched down, “Did you forget we are supposed to be matched now?”

“No, but people will think more happened because you were here for the night. Your reputation doesn’t help anything.”

He raised an eyebrow a smile playing on the corner of his lips, “Does it matter what people think?”

I looked down. Sliding my hand into my hair and rubbing the back of my head.

“I suppose not.”

“After all they are going to make us move in together.”

I froze still staring at my hands on my knees. I didn’t think about that.

“That look says you forgot about that bit. Look I gotta get back to my place. We can talk more after work detail tomorrow or today.”

I nod still thinking. I hear the door creak open. Looking up I feel my heart leap in my chest. Rushing forward and placing myself in front of the door, I slam the door closed. I looked up at him in surprise.

“Are you nuts? It’s past curfew. You’ll be executed on sight.”

He chuckled, “Don’t worry I’m used to sneaking about.”

“I don’t care! Quinn, you’re the first person I have been able to touch. I don’t want to chance losing you. Please stay!”

He smiled, “If it is that important, I’ll stay.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “Okay,” I straightened up, “I’ll sleep down here and you can take the bed.”

“Really?” He asked crossing his arms.

I blinked and frowned, “What?”

“We were both just sleeping on the couch and in the couple’s place, there is only one bed. We should share the bed, start getting used to it. I won’t let you sleep on the couch. Come on.”

Gently he took my hand and tried to lead me to the stairs.

“Hold on.” I tugged and he released my hand. Walking over I placed the blanket back on the couch. Grabbing a single candle I blew out the rest and headed back toward Quinn.

Smiling, Quinn reached out and grabbed the candle, “Want to learn something else?”

I frowned. Quinn sat the candle on the banister and blew it out.

“Hey!” I exclaimed. Then I gasped as his arm snaked his way around my waist.

“Trust me. You won’t trip and you won’t get hurt.” I shivered as he breath caressed my face and neck. Reaching my hands up I wrapped one in the hem of his shirt and the other clutched his arm around my waist. If I went down he was going with me!

“Step.” We slowly ascended the stairs. Everytime he instructed me, his breath slid across my skin sending goosebumps and shivers through my body.

“There, we are at the top.” He said triumphantly while unlatching my hands and stepping away.

“But how do you know?” I asked taking a step and reaching for the wall. It took just a moment for me to realize that my foot had not connected with anything and I was falling. I gasped as an arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me against a hard body preventing me from going backwards down the stairs. I clutched Quinn’s shoulders as he pulled me away from the stairs toward the only room upstairs. As the shock wore off I felt my body heat up. I was still pressed tightly against his body with my hands on his shoulders.

“Um-” I felt a blush rise to my cheeks, “How did you stop me?”

“I saw your foot miss the floor.”

“Saw? But it’s pitch black!” I dropped my hands and tried to take a step back. He tightened his arm around my waist.

“I see as if there was a light on.” I felt his chest rise and fall as he talked causing my breast to tighten.

“Your joking.”

“No, I’m not,” he whispered. I felt him lean closer, “I love feeling you against me, Rose. I love how cute you are when you blush like you are now.” He lifted his hand and brushed it against my cheek. Following the line of my cheek, he passed his thumb over the top of my ear before sliding his hand into my hair. I closed my eyes enjoying the caress as my heart slammed against my chest. His breath blossomed across my ear and neck before his mouth met my ear. I gasped as the waves sent my nerves into overdrive. He gently pulled with his teeth before moving down and trailing kisses along my neck. I let out a small sound foreign to my ears and let my head fall back.

I felt my nipples tighten as a small growl rumbled through his chest. Effortlessly, he lifted me off my feet. I let out a gasp as my hands flew to his shoulders and pulled myself closer. In a few short steps, he laid me down on the mattress and pulled away. I took some deep breaths and started to roll over. I was stopped as I felt Quinn’s move over me and stop. His legs were on either side of my thighs and his hands on either side of my head. I felt my heart leap into my throat.

“Quinn?”

Quinn shifted above me bringing himself closer and pressing his hand to my cheek, “Rose, you’re so beautiful.” he whispered before capturing my lips. I lifted my hands and put them on his upper chest to push him back. My gasp was swallowed by Quinn’s kisses as my hands met skin on his chest. He had taken his shirt off at some point. The waves from the contact threatened to overwhelm my thoughts. Quinn’s hand moved down from my cheek across my neck and down further coming to rest on my breast. I felt my breath hitch. Quickly, I broke the kiss. He took the initiative to run the kisses down my jaw.

“Quinn-” I gasped out as he gently squeezed my breast and arched into his hands. He growled against my throat sending electric waves through my body. I groaned.

“Stop!” I finally gasped. Quinn lifted up and moved his hands away from me.

“Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” he asked. I could feel his eyes searching me. Such worry. I felt myself blush again and covered my face.

“No. I’m sorry you didn’t hurt me. I- It’s just--” I answered through my hands.

“Was it too much contact to fast?”

“No.” I chuckled, “No, definitely not.” I tried to slide out from under him.

“Rose,” he leaned down bracing himself on either side of my head he gently stroked my hair, “tell me what’s wrong. We can fix it.”

“I-I’m,” quickly I covered my face, “To my knowledge, I’m a virgin.” Silence loomed in the room.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I didn’t think about that.” Quickly I covered his mouth.

“Don’t, Quinn. Don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault. I just, I’m not sure of myself and I’m not ready.”

Quinn’s one hand wrapped around my hands and he kissed my palm sending shivers through me.

“It’s okay. There is no rush.”

“Really? The elders won’t cause problems?”

“I don’t know.” He sighed moving one of my hands to his cheek, “But we will deal with the blows as they come.”

I smiled. Who knew there was such a guy inside these walls! Quinn shifted laying on the edge of the bed.

“I have to get up earlier than you so, I’ll sleep on the edge. I’ll be gone before you wake.”

“No, just wake me when you get up. I usually run in the morning anyway.”

“I didn’t know that. I run too. Wanna run together?”

“Sure. it will help enforce our story.” I switched to my side and pressed my back to the wall giving him more space.

“If that’s the case.” I heard rustling as he moved around the room before coming back to bed.

I gasped as his arm wrap around my waist and pulled me away from the wall.

“Quinn?”

“Relax.” I felt the bed shift as he slid behind me, “I plugged in my communication device and grabbed a blanket. I don’t want you to get sick pressed against the wall. So as I said I’ll take care of you and right now that means keeping you warm.” With that, he pulled me against him and wrapped a blanket around us.

“You don’t--” I wiggled. His grip around my waist tightened.

“Rose, stop. Remember we are together. I’m expected to do this and you are expected to accept it. Now go to sleep.” He nuzzled his face into my hair. I relaxed against him. He is right after all. It wasn’t long before sleep claimed me