My mind wanders instantaneously, darting down to the lips I kissed the other night. I was hesitant at first—I’ve never kissed someone with facial hair—but I rather enjoyed the way it lightly scratched my face with every movement.
I want to feel that same sensation elsewhere, maybe my inner thighs…
Oh my Gods, I need to say something. I’ve just been watching him walk toward me.
“Ready to go?” I blink myself from my thoughts, pushing my desires to the side as his scent rushes into my nose. “Tonight, I’ll show you my favorite waterfall in the forest. It’s hidden away, just like the crystal cave.”
With a nod, he follows me toward the shadow of a nearby tree. “I’ll have to take you to my favorite places someday.”
“Here, or places you’ve traveled to?” I ask as I wrap my arms around his waist, preparing to travel.
I wait for his answer before starting the shadow travel, and he blushes down at me. “Places I’ve traveled to while I was searching for my muse…” His eyes search mine as he trails off.
Why is my heart pounding right now? The way he said those words sent a different kind of shiver through me, something that runs deeper than desire.
Instead of dwelling on it, I take us through the shadow, hopping through the forest until we get to the tree line of my waterfall. Instantly, he sucks in a breath, and I loosen my hold to let him step into the moonlight.
The calming sound of water rushing floats into my ears, the world coming back into focus around us. In the dead of night, shadow travel is its easiest, since there’s darkness almost everywhere for me to travel through.
The pool at the base of the waterfall has a small clearing around it, the moonlight illuminating the area. There are various pastel glows appearing and disappearing along thetree line. The crystal caverns beneath the conservation area are home to crystalloid fireflies—what they’re doing on the surface tonight is beyond me.
“This is gorgeous,” he says, turning around slowly to take in all the scenery. “I would love to paint here one day.”
Watching him marvel at nature’s beauty makes me feel drawn to him even more, which I didn’t think was possible. How could I have even considered that he was evil? He exudes light and love.
My cheeks warm as I stare at him, and I can’t help but offer to make his wish come true. “That could be arranged. I could bring your art supplies out here using my shadow travel.”
“Really?” His eyes sparkle, the blue looking so radiant that they appear as though they’ve captured some of the moonlight in them permanently.
I nod, my heart rate picking up the longer I stare at him. “Yeah, of course, I’d have to help you get them back as well.”
“It would be so incredible to be able to paint the scenery as I see it.” His eyes completely light up when he talks about his art. It’s cute. “Usually, I sketch them out first.”
Covering one of my burning cheeks with my hand, I nod again. “I know.”
He laughs, the sound untainted by nervousness. “Oh, right, I almost forgot. My watcher from the shadows.”
Hiswatcher from the shadows.
His.
I want to be his, as he is mine. At least, he is in my heart.
“Want to go for a swim?” I cock a brow at him, placingmy hands on my hips. “It’s not too deep—you can stand in most spots, and there are solid rocks at the base of the falls.”
He rubs the back of his neck, his cheeks gaining the pink hue I quite enjoy. “I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”
My heart races, and for a brief moment, it feels like I forget how to use my tongue. I have to fight with my brain to let my heart do the talking—to let my instincts guide me. “You don’t need one.”
His gaze stays on me, an intensity flowing into his light-blue irises and electrifying them.
Reaching down, I grab the hem of my shirt, not breaking eye contact. As I pull my shirt over my head, I watch his expression change. His lips, which were pressed together, are now parted, and his face is flush. I shimmy my shorts off, leaving myself standing in only my underwear across from him. His eyes seem strained, as if he’s fighting to keep them from wandering.
Little does he know, though, Iwantthem to wander.
I want him to see every part of me—I want him to react to me.
Tilting my head, I keep my gaze locked with his while reaching behind my back and finding the clasp to my bra. Once I unhook it, I see his pants begin to bulge at the crotch. Even though nerves course through me, I maintain my confidence and toss my bra aside.
