Combustion by Elia Winters

different situation, isn’t it?”
    â€œMy toys don’t get tired. And they leave my hands free for other things. I have too many sensitive areas to try not to reach all of them.” When she smiled at him, eyes sparkling and full of mischief, it was all he could do not to bend her over the worktable and take her right there. What had gotten into him? He hadn’t felt lust—pure, unbridled lust—in what felt like months. Why was he feeling it now when he most needed to focus? This was a dangerous path he was treading; he was starting to want her and he certainly couldn’t have her.
    With effort, he brought himself back to the moment. She’d been talking about hands-free pleasure. “So the machine needs to provide…”
    â€œâ€¦clitoral stimulation, yes. A ridge, or knob, or something similar. Very important.”
    â€œAll right.” Eli sketched a ridge onto her design where he imagined it would need to be, deliberately not thinking how it would nestle between her folds, pressing against her and making her gasp. He licked his dry lips and looked back up. “What else?”
    Astrid tapped the place where she’d drawn the shaft on the saddle. “It feels good to get fucked. Penetrated.”
    Did she really just say that? Eli blinked, his composure at risk of dissolving completely. “It’s not something I can relate to. I’ve wondered what it’s like for you women.”
    Astrid bit her lower lip and smirked. “There are ways for you to find out.”
    Of course she would take it in that direction when he was trying to keep himself together. The “no” was on his lips, but he paused, wondering what it would be like to yield to her in that way. Eli hesitated only a moment, but it was enough for Astrid to give him a knowing look.
    He shook his head, feeling hot all over. “It’s not the same, and you know it.”
    Astrid shrugged. “Suit yourself. But you have all sorts of plumbing that I don’t have and can’t relate to, so I guess we’re even. Besides, that’s why we can have so much fun together.” She winked, and at his confused expression, she added, “Hypothetical men and hypothetical women, of course.”
    â€œOh, of course.” What was she playing at? Was she actually trying to seduce him, or just flirting? He wasn’t used to women being so forward. Wasn’t used to women at all, actually, not in this scenario. Not anymore.
    Astrid looked back down at the design. “Well, I suppose that’s everything, right?”
    Eli looked at her, incredulous. “That’s it? You have some amazing machines back at your flat, and you want the bare minimum for this? That’s not exciting at all. I thought you were more creative than this. Guess I was wrong. Disappointing.” He shook his head in mock disapproval.
    Astrid sat back and folded her arms, tossing her pencil down onto the table. “All right. As the person who is not female, tell me what we’re missing.”
    â€œNo, you’re the expert here, apparently. You tell me.”
    Their eyes met and locked, neither looking away, each challenging the other to take this further. Astrid smiled, then, a catlike, predatory smile that sent a sudden wave of anxiety through him. She leaned closer. “You know, maybe I should tell you what turns me on. For the sake of our research.”
    Oh yes, please. He could see her face flush, color spreading across her cheeks and ears, down to the swells of her breasts, and his hands ached to touch them. But…no. This was a terrible idea. “I don’t think that’s appropriate, Astrid.”
    Leaning in closer, she rested her hand casually on his knee, the warmth burning right through his trousers. What was she doing? “Oh, come on, Eli. Nothing we’re doing is appropriate.”
    â€œAnd that’s the problem.” Brushing her hand away, he scooted