I nodded. "Pretty much."
"The last time anyone did that was after I doused myself with apple-scented body spray, put on a thong and miniskirt, and went to a party in the woods behind Merrymount Park. I was fifteen and every mosquito in a five-mile radius attacked me. I swore I was never putting myself in another situation that ended with anyone creaming my ass. Haven't worn a thong since and I have no regrets where that's concerned."
"It was probably the body spray. That attracted the bugs." It was the best I could do to keep myself from diving into the perverted deep end and imagining Stella in a thong. "But—uh—who treated your bites?"
"My older sister. We all shared a bedroom. Me, my older sister, and our younger sister. They saw the fallout the next morning but it was Sophia who busted out the cotton balls and Calamine. I swore I wasn't going through that again and she swore she'd never put herself in the position of being the person applying the cream, and I respect that."
I considered this while trying—and failing—to keep my gaze away from her peaked nipples. God, I wanted to taste them. Lick them. Bite them.Bite bite bite. I could already imagine the ring of marks around her nipples. A twin set of devil's halos.
Finally, I said, "That's how I felt about getting shot. I understand. I still want to take care of you. I also want another look at the marks I left on you."
Stella blinked at me. And again. "You've been shot? Where?"
"In Afghanistan."
"That—that isn't the answer I'm looking for," she seethed. "Don't make me strip you naked to find it for myself."
"Really, Stella. That's no threat," I remarked lightly. "I was shot in the back of my thigh. As far as gunshot wounds go, it was a basic one. It went in, missed the femoral by a hair, went out the other side. No major damage aside from a gnarly scar all the way around. I'll show it to you sometime but only if you let me do this. I don't want you hurting tonight."
Laughing, she dropped her hands to her sides and curled them around the hem of her dress. "Only because you have me curious about that scar," she said, pivoting.
"Whatever works for you, Stel." Her bare backside came into view and—fuck me running. I couldn't keep my fingers from tracing the raised marks dotting her cheek. Her skin was hot like a fever and I wanted to feel those bumps on the head of my cock. The longer I stared at her, the more I could imagine my cock rubbing against her, my release splashing over her skin.
"Cal," Stella said.
I cleared my throat but it wasn't enough. "Yeah?" I managed, my voice rough.
"Just making sure you're still with me," she said.
I glanced down at the little tube in the hand not currently occupied with her ass. My grip was fierce. I was shocked it hadn't exploded. "I'm admiring the view," I said, gently running the damp cloth over her. "Your skin blooms like a rose."
"Is that," Stella started, her words hesitant, "is that what you're into? I mean, it's fine. I'm just wondering."
I tossed the towel to the corner and squirted some lotion into my palm. "This shouldn't burn or tingle at all but it is thick. You'll feel it for a bit," I said. "And no, I'm not, uh, I've never bitten anyone before."
"Oh, wow. Okay, then," she said softly.
"Was it all right?"
"Was it all right," she repeated. "Yeah, you could say that. I'm a little surprised your neighbors didn't call the police. I don't usually scream like that. I don't usually scream at all."
"New territory all around," I said, and it was all I could do to keep myself from shaking this woman and shouting at the top of my lungs that she was it, she was everything, and we were meant to collide on that trail this morning. Didn't she see it? Feel it? Didn't she know? Because I knew. I fucking knew.
"You were right," Stella said.
I glanced away from her backside, wondering if I'd spoken those thoughts out loud. I couldn't have. "About what, sweet thing?"
"About tomorrow's walk being a slow one."
Ah, the trail. It was a handful of hours away but I hated the idea of relinquishing her. Just fucking hated it. "We can take it as slow as you want, Stel." I meant that. Sure, my dick and I weren't thrilled about tonight's turn of events but we'd keep the faith. I massaged the remaining lotion into my hands and pressed a kiss to the base of her spine. "You're all set. You might have some bruises but nothing that won't heal within a day or two."
Stella reached for the panties I'd abandoned near the sink and stepped into them before turning to face me. "Walk me out," she said, tipping her head toward the door. "I'll get a car service to take me home."
"Where is home for you?"
She busied herself with brushing a hand down her dress but I didn't miss the way her eyes widened at my question. "Not too far from here," she replied. "But not too close."
"You're not going to tell me," I said.
