Before I can splutter that I’m not intending to ‘get’ anything with Finch, she’s gone, and he’s re-seating himself in front of me with enviable grace. I then only hesitate for a moment before smoothing some of the mixture through Finch’s enviably soft hair.
“You know, I don’t tend to enjoy physical touch,” he says lightly. “Haven’t been in a long while, unless I’m the one initiating contact, but this is surprisingly nice.”
His words fill me with instant horror. My head spins as I parse through every horrifying memory of me casually touching him, every hand pat and squeeze. Was he recoiling every time, and I didn’t notice?
“I’m sorry,” I croak. “I didn’t know.”
“Well, that’s because I never mentioned it, love,” he replies. “Most people don’t come close enough to touch. You’ve been a refreshing change. In more ways than one.”
One of his tentacles reaches out and prods the mixture in the bowl while another caresses my wrist, then wraps around, slowly shifting my focus until I’m smoothing it over the surface of the smooth appendage. It feels far more intimate than it did with Frannie, now that it’s just the two of us sitting in the moonlight with a cool breeze blowing off the ocean.
“I’m almost falling asleep here, love.” Finch’s low tone breaks the silence as I finish smoothing the mixture through the ends of his hair. I then quietly get to my feet and rinse my hands in the cool, shallow water.
“Thank you.” Finch stretches his arms over his head, his necklaces jingling. “I appreciate you looking after me, even if I don’t deserve it.”
“You do. Of course, you do,” I reply.
He gets to his feet, towering over me and brushing one long strand of mask-covered hair away from my face. “My brother’s a lucky man.” He presses a gentle kiss to my forehead, and then we head quietly back to the house.
After all, I have a ritual with Finch’s brother to prepare for.
Chapter 18
Reva
The next evening, Frannie produces a purple ribbon from nowhere, tying it around my newly soft curls with a satisfied grin. I don’t have the heart to tell her it’ll no doubt be a matted mess in no time tonight. Then she heads through to my bedroom and thrusts one of the few dresses I brought with me into my arms.
“You wear that and they’ll all lose their minds.”
She’s determined for me to look nice for my ritual orgy. I don’t argue and quickly slip the material over my head. The dress is flouncy and pretty, a bright purple that matches my ribbon and leaves me feeling all kinds of girly and fantastic.
“Gorgeous,” Frannie says.
“Absolutely gorgeous,” a male voice says from behind us, making me jump.
I spin around and grin at Kit before giving him a little curtsy. “You like?”
His heated gaze roams from my hair down to my bare toes as he drops a tray onto the bed. “You are a vision.” He licks his lips, stepping closer to run a finger over my bare collarbone. “We don’t have to do it this way, you know? I don’t want you to feel pressured into doing anything you’re not comfortable with.”
My lips quirk up into a soft smile as I meet his glittering dark eyes. This. This feels like the Kit that I know. There’s novagueness or confusion, or desperation to check the perimeter. No, he’s worried about me and my wellbeing and it makes my chest grow warm.
“I know we don’t have to,” I say. “And I won’t say the thought doesn’t make me feel a bit intimidated. Kind of nervous.”
He smooths his hand down my arm and then links our fingers together.
“But I can’t say I’m not excited, too.”
“Well then,” he says, leaning down to kiss me at the point where my neck and shoulder meet. “Is there anything I can do to help you get ready?”
I can think of a few things now that he’s here with his scent filling my lungs. I press a kiss to his cheek and then another to the corner of his lips until he twists his head and meets my lips in a gentle kiss. It’s achingly slow and deliberate, and it makes my heart skitter. He pulls away just as slowly, dark eyes meeting mine before he rests our foreheads together for a moment.
“I don’t think so,” I murmur.
“I’ll leave you to it, then. You seem like you’re in safe hands here.”
I feel oddly light once he’s gone, like I might float away.
“What did I say?” Frannie says with a grin. “He dropped off some food for us both, too, so sit down and eat, and I’ll pour us a cup of tea.”
