“I didn’t know you were such a wildcat, Moe,” I murmur against her skin, licking the teeth mark I made along with a small drop of blood.
If my meridians were clean and I were able to metabolize energy, then my saliva would heal any wound.
Soon.
“I missed you so much. I need to hold you a bit longer.”
I try not to think of how my words come across or the fact that our relationship isnotat that level. In my mind, it’s already a given that it will happen at some point. Perhaps I am slightlydelusional, but I’m willing to wait as long as it takes for Moe to be mine—to admit that she wants me as much as I want her. And the fact that she followed me gives me hope that perhaps a small part of her does feel that way.
“It hasn’t even been a day,” she adds in a dry voice.
“In my mind it’s been centuries,” I mumble. It’s certainly been enough for me to daydream about our future and imagine countless scenarios. All of them ending with her naked in my arms and with us doing countless of things that I barely dare to think let alone say aloud.
“I didn’t take you for such a sweet talker, Nyk.” She chuckles.
“It’s not sweet talk. It’s the truth. I thought…”
“That you weren’t going to see me again?” She forcefully pulls back, raising a brow at me.
“…” I can’t lie to her.
She snorts and shoves me off her, quickly shielding her body with her arms.
“Look away,” she commands.
I do. I avert my gaze, my face red from a combination of arousal and shame.
She quickly submerges herself to her chin in the water to hide her nakedness.
The steam drifts around, creating a veil between us. She’s so close yet she seems so far away. Just moments ago I could feel her skin against mine and the absence of her touch leaves me bereft.
“Why did you follow me? How?”
“I read your letter,” she simply states.
“But I told you to only read it after I’m gone?—“
She rolls her eyes. “Really Nyk? You think that type of request doesn’t raise any questions?”
She stares me in the eyes. Her tone is much more direct than before, much more confident.
“Why would it? I’ve gone on missions before…”
A burst of laughter escapes her. “You’re so oblivious.” She shakes her head, a smile playing at her lips. “I should have realized it earlier just how oblivious you can be, to everything!”
I blink in surprise at her words. “I?—“
“Forget the letter. Your behavior was off the moment you came home. You had this guilty air about you and spoke in ambiguous terms. You’re always a little strange to be honest, but that was more so than the usual.”
I barely register her words about my behavior yesterday.
“You think I’m strange?” I ask slowly, doing my best not to let my disappointment show.
She tilts her head, her hair dipping into the water.
“You areverystrange Nyk,” she says matter of factly. “I’ve never known someone like you before. You’re full of contradictions. Like how you’re the most selfless person I know, but when I suggested I cook something for your department’s get together, you vehemently refused. You didn’t even want to give a little something to that healer you’ve been seeing as gratitude for her services.”
“Why should I share your cooking with other people,” I grumble under my breath. “And why should I gift anything to the healer? She’s female! What if she misunderstood my intentions?” I try to defend myself.
