“Because,” I sputter, grabbing the sheet to cover myself. “That’s not a pretty part of a woman. Go wait in the hallway while I put my nightgown back on.”
“Wait. Why can’t I look at you there? It is as beautiful as every other part of you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I snap. “Don’t lie to me.”
He sits up straight, and suddenly his voice is dangerous. “No one accuses me of being a liar. Not even you.”
“You need to be more sensitive!”
“Why do you cover yourself and not believe me when I try to worship your beautiful body?”
That’s when I completely lose it and burst into tears.
“Lo-Ren!” he exclaims in shock, moving toward me. He reaches out, but I twist away, giving him my back and curling up. I wait for him to leave. Michael always hated when I cried and would disappear until I pulled myself together. That’ll probably be good. I liked the way Remus was looking at me before he?—
I cry harder, pressing my hands to my face like I can hide even more. If I can just have a moment?—
That’s when one of Remus’s strong arms curls around my waist from behind. He’s climbed into bed at my back, and for a long moment, he just holds me. I cry harder at first, tensing. But then I relax back into his solid warmth.
When he rests his forehead against the back of my neck, I hiccup and grab his arm, squeezing tight as he holds me. He’s surrounding me, and I feel so safe.
Finally, he speaks. “Tears mean you hurt. I did not mean to hurt Lo-Ren. I often saw my father’s consort cry. I swore I would not hurt you, and yet I have made you cry.”
I shake my head and turn in his arms to face him. His words pierce my chest.
His arm around my waist holds me close, and our heads are inches apart on the pillows as we look into each other’s eyes.
“It’s not you. It’s a lifetime of other people’s shit that hurt me,” I whisper.
He scowls and demands, “Who? I will punish them.”
I laugh and press my face to his chest, basically wiping my tears on him before pulling back to look into his fierce eyes.
“There are too many to count. Society. Mean girls in high school. My mother.”
He nods at this, understanding flooding his expression. “Parents can be cruel.”
“I mean, I know somewhere deep down she loves me.” I roll my eyes. “Deep,deepdown.”
He shrugs. “This hurt is unforgivable. You are perfect.” He says this with such vehemence that it makes my chest tight. “But you just tell me wherever you would like me to touch you and not touch you, and I will listen to you. I do not want to resurrect old hurts.”
How? How does a man from a world so different from mine know exactly the right thing to say? Because unlike other guys I’ve known, his words aren’t rehearsed pickup lines. He seemsto be figuring this out as he goes, and it’s so genuine it makes my heart hurt. This connection growing between us means everything.
With my free hand, I trace down his arm from his shoulder to where he’s holding me at my waist. Taking a deep breath, I guide his hand down so he’s touching my lower belly.
He smiles so sweetly, his dark eyes searching mine. His hand starts massaging me there, and for a second, I’m mortified. But then I breathe and focus on how his touch feels.
Every movement is so sensual as he kneads my body. Digging in with his palm, then his fingers trailing backward hungrily. Especially as he works around to my hips and ass.
His touch makes me feel beautiful and wanted and desirable. I believe he’s telling the truth when he calls me beautiful because of the look in his eyes and the need in his fingertips. A groan escapes my lips because I need him too. The feelings that had been doused are roaring back to life between my legs.
Without thinking, just giving in to what my body wants, I lift my leg to wrap around his hip and pull him against me. It was playful earlier. Now it’s with purpose. I feel his hardness through his pants: thick, long, stiff, pulsing. More proof of his desire for me.
Another sound comes from my throat, higher-pitched. Oh my god, I want him so badly. He makes my whole body go liquid.
He grips my ass with his huge hands and starts massaging roughly. Needily. I arch my hips against him, satisfied when I get a short, needy grunt from him.
“I want you,” I gasp, leaning up to kiss him.
