Devereaux's command shook me to the core. It was so unlike his usual polite-to-a-fault demeanor. And at the same time, it thrilled me. It ignited a spark below my belly, kindling a low fire.
Devereaux stared at me. He was waiting for me to obey him. He was an alpha, after all.
I relented. "All right..."
I sat down on a courtyard bench and placed my cane beside me, ignoring the way my body cried out in relief because I was so focused on the new feeling of fiery passion. But when I reached down to roll up my pants, it was embarrassingly difficult. All this movement was too much. My aching body couldn't keep up.
"I'm sorry," I said weakly. "I'm more tired than I thought."
"Then allow me."
Without hesitation, Devereaux kneeled on the cobblestones. I was shocked to see him lower himself so easily. Even if he said he wasn't a royal, he hadsomekind of noble air. Watching him kneel on the dirty ground for the sake of a commoner felt inappropriate. Almost obscene.
I shivered as Devereaux's long fingers brushed against my ankles. He rolled the cuffs of my pants up to the knees, exposing my calves. I barely breathed. My heart was racing.
This was entirely innocent, so why was it exciting me this much?
When both my legs were bare below the knee, Devereaux stared before scoffing.
"I do not see what is wrong with them," he said. "They are certainly nothorrificby any stretch of the imagination."
It finally sunk in why he was going through so much effort to look at my legs. I laughed softly.
"Oh, Devereaux... I know there's nothing wrong with them on theoutside," I said.
He frowned up at me. "Then what was the purpose of your comment?"
I sank back against the seat, my nerves crying out. My fatigue finally caught up to me. I didn't know if I could stand back up after this.
"You already know I walk with a cane," I said.
"Yes, I know this."
"It's because I'm disabled. My body doesn't work the same way as most people's bodies."
He frowned. "I do not understand."
Since it hurt too much to move, I gestured to my legs with my cane. "Think of it this way. They're broken on the inside."
Devereaux let that sink in for a long moment. Despite the blindfold, it was obvious he was staring at my calves. "May I touch them?"
"Um, sure."
I sucked in a soft breath as Devereaux's cool fingers touched my legs.
No, he wasn't just touching. He wascaressing.The fire in the pit of my stomach burned hotter. This gesture wasn't sexual at all... so why was my body reacting this way?
I froze, unable to move as Devereaux's gentle hands roamed over my legs. He explored them, seeming to commit the map of my skin to memory. To say I was flattered was an understatement.
And his touch felt incredible. It was so pleasant that I forgot the angry jolts of pain, as if Devereaux's fingertips were sucking them right out of my body.
It was all I could do not to arch my back against the bench and moan. I didn't want to make Devereaux uncomfortable. The sudden rush of arousal clouding my mind was my fault, not his.
"I still do not understand," Devereaux murmured, still rubbing his palms against my calves, "but it does not change the way I think about you."
"What?" I asked breathlessly.
"You are perfect, Florian, no matter what invisible ailments you may possess."
