“Because you can, Arisanna. Everyone else’s needs are not more important than yours. And I long to give you everything you desire that’s within my power to give.”
His words nestle into her heart as he gazes at her.
“So next time I have a blister—”
“Tell me right away.”
“And if I want you to rub my feet?”
“You need only ask.”
“And if I want you to...to...” She takes a deep breath and pushes the words out. “To touch other parts of me?”
He leans near her ear. “You need only ask.”
She bites her lip again as she clings to his arm and leans against him, and he presses his lips to the top of her head.
When he curses under his breath, she looks at him in confusion as he sputters and spits into the sand.
“You have sand in your hair,” he says before spitting again.
Well. That’s one way to ruin a moment.
“I’m sorry.” She doesn’t meet his gaze as she tries to brush the tiny grains away, but he reaches for her hand and lifts her chin until she’s looking at him.
“We were lying in the sand. It was inevitable. There’s no need to apologize. Though I may focus my kisses on other parts of you for now.” His mouth tilts into a soft, lopsided grin, and she can’t help smiling in return.
“So I don’t need to fix my hair?”
“I like it this way. Wild and free.”
She melts at his words, but before she can respond, he kisses her again—her lips this time—and she melts even more.
Then he offers his arm again. “Are you ready to continue?”
“I’d follow you anywhere, Cerian Westaria,” she whispers.
Warmth fills his eyes at her words, but he says nothing as they trudge through the sand once more.
Will You Hold Me?
Episode 90
Sandisannoying.DespiteCerian’s best efforts, it hides between his toes and grits in his teeth. He doesn’t dare touch his eyes. That would be a nightmare.
And this is dry sand. Wet sand sounds even worse.
“Cerian!” Arisanna clutches his arm, and he follows her gaze to an oasis of sorts, with a pool of freshwater and tropical trees lining the edges.
That’s what his plant magic sensed. They must be palm trees. He’s heard of them, but he’s never seen one, and he’s never felt one before. It’s not like a normal tree. It feels more like a grain or grass, just on a massive scale. No wonder it felt odd to his plant magic.
He glances at Arisanna. What is she thinking? Should he ask her? Before he can find his words, she starts talking.
“I...I want...”
He waits for her to keep going, but she doesn’t. Is she thinking too much again? Stuck inside her own head?
“It’s just a pool of water in the desert,” he says softly. “And you and me. There are no expectations here.”
