“A selfie? Is that what that little black block is called? I saw you pull it out one day.”
Avery giggled at him. “No, this is a phone. Humans can communicate with each other on this little thing. We can call each other, send messages, and take pictures. As well as almost anything else you need.”
“And you claim your world doesn’t have magic. Such a way of communicating sounds more magical than all our essences together. Now, what is this magical selfie?” Savine grinned at Avery and pulled her back to the bed. She tumbled onto his chest with a laugh before she sat beside him.
Avery felt a tightness in her chest. She didn’t know what it was about this fae man, but she liked everything about him. His kindness underneath his grumpy layers, the way he protected her in this dangerous world. And the way his touch felt like an electric current between them. She wanted to sink into him and feel his lips caress hers. But knowing how hurt he’d been in the past made Avery want to let him make the first move. After all, he’d just started to let her touch him without flinching. With more willpower than she thought she had, Avery untangled herself from him, sat up, and leaned against the headboard and pillows.
“A selfie, old man, is a photo you take of yourself. And you’re going to take some with me.” Avery powered on her phone and saw it was at 32%. She opened the camera app without acknowledging that she had no bars or messages. As their image appeared on the screen, Savine jumped with surprise to see their reflection on the screen.
“How is this not magic? Or mirrors?”
“I guess it’s a bit like a mirror, but it’s called a camera. When I push this button, it will save our image.” Avery took the picture and pulled it up for Savine to see.
In the picture, Avery gave a sweet smile, and she leaned against Savine’s shoulder. Savine’s face was pure surprise. His mouth was gaping open, showing his straight white teeth.
“I wasn’t prepared for that image. I think we should try again.” Both Avery and Savine grinned as she took a picture of the two of them.
They took picture after picture together. Sometimes Savine would stop her and scrutinize the previous pictures. Avery added filters to Savine’s laughing delight. He especially liked a deer antler filter, complete with a flower crown.
“I’m as impressive as Jari,” Savine said as he smiled back at his photo.
After they took more deer-inspired pictures and videos, Avery showed Savine images of her home. She shared photos of her family and even shared those last pictures she took with Morgan before the bear attack. It was the first time she’d allowed herself to look at those pictures.
Avery noticed the battery had dropped to 19%. Too much. She didn’t want to see it fall farther.
“I think that’s enough for tonight. I’m not ready for my phone to die yet.”
“Seeing a part of your world means so much to me, Avery. I don’t… I rarely let people get close to me. I know how hard it is to share pieces of your life that you want to keep a secret,” Savine spoke so low Avery hardly heard him. He looked at her with an intensity in his dusty blue eyes, and the seriousness in his voice caught her off guard. Avery leaned closer to Savine. Her face was close enough to him that his breath prickled her skin, and she smelled that forest and rainstorm scent of his.
“Savine, we’re friends. And friends can open up to each other.”
“Friends. Yes…” his voice was hoarse with desire.
Savine leaned in, taking a deep breath. His hand slid over to her waist. Oh, God. His touch made her melt into flowing honey.
Avery closed her eyes and let his touch be the only thing in the world. He stroked her side in slow, easy circles.
Suddenly, he pulled back. “I should let you get some sleep.”
Avery’s heart pounded in her chest. She wanted him to stay. She wanted more of him, and she did not want to deny that. As she looked at him, she saw his eyes were dilated to black orbs.
“You could stay with me, if you want,” Avery said, looking into Savine’s eyes. “We don’t have to stop sharing a space just because we’re in a house.”
His essence whirled across his skin, and Avery stroked his bare arm. His eyes glistened like sapphires as he leaned his body toward her. His breath was on her again, and it made her want to pull him closer. To never let him slip away again.
“Avery, I think it would be best if I went to my own room tonight. We’re friends, remember? It’s not like when we needed to share a tent,” Savine muttered. With difficulty that Avery could feel, Savine tore himself from the bed and walked toward the door.
“Good night, my little flower. Thank you for letting me chill with you,” Savine said as he walked from the room.
His abrupt exit left Avery reeling. Was she imagining the connection between them? She thought he was attracted to her. With the pet name, his touch, and his possessive behavior toward her. How could he act this way and yet keep denying what she knew they both felt?
But really, she was selfish to try to push him further than he wanted to go. He had a lot of trauma and had only become comfortable with her touching him over the past couple of days as they traveled to Bayberry. Obviously, he didn’t need her pressuring him to sleep with her. He knew where to find her if he wanted to act on what they both felt.
Chapter thirty-two
Avery
Avery woke to light streaming in through the white lace curtains. She could tell by the light that she had slept for a long time. Much of the night was filled with fitful sleep, despite Avery sleeping for longer than she had in days. She felt feverish, and her skin prickled, as if she needed the touch of another body beside her. Savine filled her dreams. His hands on her breasts, while his tongue traced her neck. Savine’s fingers finding her hot and wet for him between her thighs. The throb between her legs continued as she tried to ignore her body’s demands while she dressed. She’d known this man for a few tumultuous weeks, yet she felt inexplicably drawn to him. Now she was having sex dreams about him.
