When his gaze snaps to mine, sizzling hot, he grunts. "Don't think so." He licks the tip of his index finger and moans. "We taste so good together. Try it."
He puts his fingers to my lips, as if this is perfectly normal. Being with only one other guy means maybe it is normal, but it seems weird. I grip Si's hand tentatively, my tongue darting out to taste the glistening liquid. It's earthy and sharp and salty, pungent on my taste buds.
He's right. We do taste good together. Making eye contact with Silas, I pull his fingers into my mouth again and suck. Desire flares bright in his eyes.
"You are the perfect woman, aren't you?"
My cheeks flush and I drop his gaze. Si lets it go, rolling us so I'm tucked against his chest. His hand finds the mark on my shoulder where he bit down and traces it with gentle fingers.
"Did I hurt you?"
"No." I turn my head to look at it in the mirror across from the bed. The bite mark is deep. Dark red. I’ll definitely bruise. "I like it."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, Si." I kiss his jaw. "I want everyone to know I'm yours."
Something in his expression goes soft and vulnerable in a way I've never seen. "You mean that?"
"Every word."
He kisses me then. Sweet this time, tender instead of claiming. "You're perfect. You know that?"
"I'm really not."
"You are to me."
An hour later, we finally manage to get out of bed and into the small shower. The shower is so small that there's noway we can both fit, so I let him go first. When it's my turn, I quickly wash, then climb out, wrapping myself in not one, not two, but three itty-bitty hotel towels. Wiping off the foggy mirror, I see Si's bite mark on my shoulder. Doing a quick check finds a matching set of dark bruises blooming on my hips.
Evidence. Proof that I'm wanted. Claimed.His.
I trace the bite mark with my fingertips, smiling at my reflection.
Silas appears in the doorway. Still naked, hair damp from the shower. His eyes go dark as they track over my marked body.
"See something you like?" I tease.
"Always." He steps closer and drops a kiss to my bare shoulder. "How are you feeling about yesterday? You know, your dad and... all of it."
The question makes my chest go tight. "I don't know. Sad, I guess. Angry. I can't save him from himself and it kills me." I lean into his touch. "And that you were there. You saw where I come from. And you haven't run away..."
"Never." He turns me around, lifting my chin and forcing me to meet his stormy blue-gray gaze. "I'll never run. Now that I've let you in, the trick is going to be getting me out."
I huff a breathy laugh. "Even when I actually am too much? When I hover and pester and smother people?"
"Especially then." He kisses my forehead. "Because that's not smothering, Scout. That's how you show love. And anyone who can't see the difference doesn't deserve you in their life."
Tears sting my eyes. "How are you so good at saying exactly what I need to hear?"
"Honestly? I don't know. It's so hard for me to..." He pauses, waving a hand. "Talk to people. Everyone thinks I'mfrozen like a block of ice, but really, I just don't know what to say."
"You're not made of ice. I have several hickeys that prove it." I smile up at him. “Want to see who can get dressed the fastest?”
We drive home late in the afternoon. The rain has finally stopped, leaving everything clean and bright. I watch the scenery pass through the passenger window, feeling lighter than I have in weeks despite the emotional devastation of yesterday.
"Thank you," I say quietly. "For coming with me. For staying. I really needed everything you did."
Si shrugs a shoulder. "You don't have to thank me for that, Scout."
