Suddenly, I see him in a completely different light. I always assumed he had it all together. I thought he just saw himself above everyone around him. It turns out, there’s been a huge weight on his shoulders, holding him down until all he could do was hold his head up high so he wouldn’t drown in it.
He doesn’t just have it all together, he’s somehow learned to rise above it all. Ghenie isn’t just beautiful, he’sglorious. The amount of strength he must have not only to be chosen for thisrole but to be able to execute it without it breaking him? I’m in awe.
“I shouldn’t have said anything,” Ghenie says quickly, wiping the tears from his face. Before I can say anything, he stands up and starts stripping out of his clothes.
“What are you doing?”
“I am going to swim my worries away,” Ghenie says like it’s obvious. And maybe it is to him.
I should look away. I should look literally anywhere but my eyes are glued to him, watching as each piece of clothing falls into the sand at his feet. Ghenie’s skin practically glows with how pale it is, iridescent against the white sand and blue water. His back is strong and toned, his arms built like he’s capable of picking me up over his shoulder. His legs go on for days. His tail swings back and forth and my eyes follow the movement. Then he wraps it around his own waist, getting it out of the way as he finishes stripping.
When his pants drop, I can’t help but look at his ass. I bite my bottom lip. His ass cheeks look like they would be the perfect handful. I’m hard in an instant against my permission, all the blood leaving my head to race to my cock. Maybe that’s why I feel lightheaded with affection all of a sudden.
Ghenie is strong and kind, despite the shit his Ancestors have given him. Even when I’m throwing jabs at him, he still shows me kindness. I could learn a thing or two from him.
Also, he’s more than easy on the eyes, he’s beautiful.
Feelings wash over me. There’s the obvious feeling of lust that comes from looking at a sexy, naked man, but there’s more than that. There’s a soft warmth budding inside my chest, like a newly blossomed rose opening up for the first time. It’s terrifyingly small and in need of sheltering. It buries into my chest where I can’t quite reach it, unable to pluck it before it can really sink its roots in.
I can admit that I want him. I want him in my bed. I want him in my life. I havefeelingsfor him. The kind that make your insides squirm and your chest warm. The kind that make you want to be a better man.
Jesus Christ. What’s gotten into me? I thought I hated his guts but it turns out, I was harboring a school boy level crush!
Ghenie looks over his shoulder, finding me staring at his ass. I have enough self awareness to blush at being caught but not enough to stop looking. He raises his brow.
Before, that look would have had me growling with annoyance, but now, my chest does a funny little flip. It’s like a button has been pressed and now I can’t stop seeing Ghenie through a new lens. I’ve seen a side of him that makes the picture in my head grander, make more sense.
“Will you be joining me? Just a swim. Nothing more.”
I only have to think about it for a second before I’m nodding. “Hell yeah. I need to cool down after,” I pause, finally looking away from his ass. “After my run.”
I swear he’s smirking at me before he’s running into the water. I make quick work of my clothes before following behind.
Chapter Seven
Ghenie
I open my eyes, the sound of crying waking me from my slumber. I cannot tell what time it is based on the darkness outside, but I know there must be hours left before daytime. I sit up and look over at Maribel, letting out a long yawn. Reaching over, I pull her into bed with me, lying her across my thighs, trying to calm her while I get my brain back online.
The door to the bedroom opens a crack before Christian is peeking inside.
“Hey,” he whispers, looking at me. “Everything okay?”
I hum and wave him inside. “Maribel is hungry and needs to be changed.”
“Okay, can I help? I can feed her for you so you can go back to sleep.”
I chuckle softly and hand Maribel to Christian. “You can change her but then I will need to feed her unless you have somehow developed some interesting new features since the last time you were here.”
Christian carefully takes Maribel before staring down at me. “What?” Then his face morphs into understanding. “Jesus, okay. I haven’t developed tits since the last time I was here. I forgot you guys are built different. I’ll be right back,” he says, shaking his head at himself. I can’t help but giggle at his retreating back.
I readjust the pillows behind myself, getting comfortable while I wait for Christian to come back. Having him helping leaves me feeling confused. On the one hand, it’s strange not doing everything myself. I can hear my daughter crying in the other room, annoyed at being changed, but I am not with her. On the other hand, my chest is warm with affection. Watching Christian care for our daughter makes me feelthings. Many, many things. As much as I’d like to take things slow with Christian and keep him at arm’s length until I can trust him, seeing him like this throws all of those plans right out the window.
Maribel’s crying turns into soft whimpers before stopping all together. When Christian comes back, he has Maribel against his chest and a cup of water in his hand. He’s softly humming, keeping her happy.
And there goes my heart. So badly I wanted to keep myself from falling so quickly but all it took was this, listening to him hum our baby to sleep. I care for him so deeply that it hurts, it steals my breath, it completely consumes me.
“Here we go,” Christian whispers. “I sang her back to sleep.”
