He can’t seem to keep his hands off me. His calloused fingers trail down my spine and over my hips. Squeezing the fleshy swells of my ass, he sighs contentedly. I’ve never given my body much thought, but with Rhydian I have a new appreciation for it.
Before, I would hide parts of myself from the leers of men like Pyke. Their comments on my beauty left a bitter taste in my mouth. With Rhydian, the opposite is true. I crave his compliments and his touches.
Rising from bed, he helps me to my feet.
I slip on the crumpled shift and watch begrudgingly as Rhydian slides on a fresh pair of linen pants. The light blue of the fabric offsets the golden hues of his skin. His heated stare remains on me, dipping towards my chest and trailing over my stomach.
“I like the way you look at me,” I say. “Like I’m the only thing in the world that matters.”
“You are.”
My cheeks warm under his statement. A part of me—a shameful, insecure part—can’t make sense of it. A vicious whisper of my self-doubt reduces the compliment by reminding me he hasn’t met anyone else.
I’m not special but merely the only human to cross his threshold. My stomach sours at the thought. Would he still view me the same if he met another? I shouldn’t voice the pathetic concern, but I’m powerless to stop it trickling out.
“You haven’t met many people. If you come back?—”
“It doesn’t matter.” Rhydian cups my shoulders in his large hands. “I don’t need to meet hundreds of humans to know you have no equal. Not when it comes to your beauty, your bravery, the depth of your heart. A thousand humans could cross my path, and it wouldn’t change a thing.”
Moisture stings my eyes, and I quickly blink it away. My smile is watery. It’s everything I need to hear, but a half-hearted attempt to push back rises like a dark wave.
“But you haven’t seen Hilda, our town’s seamstress and revered beauty. Or Marge and her coveted red hair, or?—”
Rhydian’s mouth comes down on mine.
I moan into our kiss and allow his taste to chase away my lingering doubts. My soul reaches for his as our bodies press close. Our hearts pound together in a matching rhythm. Grazing my tongue along his, he shudders.
He tastes like sunshine. He tastes like mine.
Our souls twin together, unbreakable and permanent. I feel his devotion in the way he touches me. The truth of his words echoes in our matching heartbeats. There is no room for doubt, only the unbridled truth of the affection we both share.
I’m breathless as we part.
“I don’t need to meet Hilda or Marge.” Rhydian smiles and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. “Truthfully, I’d be pleased never knowing anyone besides you for the rest of my life.”
In the shadow of his sweet confession, I can’t delay the inevitable any longer.
“I must return to Dew Hollow, Rhydian. My father needs me. And I have to stop Pyke before he cons anyone else.”
He swallows thickly, the easiness of our moment frosting over. I take his large hands in mine, rubbing circles along his soft skin.
“Come with me.” A soft plea colors each word. “Let the others see you as I do. They won’t fear you once they learn the depth of your heart. How you’ve been wronged as well.”
Rhydian's eyes burn into mine.
He huffs through his snout and his delicate ears flicker. A war of emotions battles across the brutal lines of his face. With each passing moment the conflict rages, the more my unease grows.
I open my mouth to beg him, but Rhydian speaks first.
“I’m finding it impossible to say no to you.”
Hope rises in my chest. I feel like I’m floating on a cloud as I beam up at him. A smile tips his mouth.
“Does that mean…”
“I will consider staying with you in Dew Hollow, yes.”
It’s not the answer I’m looking for, but it will do for now.
