My gift was practically prancing.
My eyes zoomed to the ink spanning his side, a large, intricate tree trunk with constellations stretched over its bark and branches that reached out toward his shoulder blade and climbed his chest.
Beautiful.
Lynx’s attention drifted to where mine was pinned. “It’s—”
“An oak tree,” I said, voice breaking at the realization but not wanting to examine it much further.
Casual, Oakley.
This is casual.
And he just likes trees so much he wanted a tattoo.
Who doesn’t like trees?
With every step my heart sped faster, my body flushing with heat. I could do this. I’d already made myself come in front of him, for Goddess’s sake.
I unclasped the halter of my top, pausing before I let it fall past my breasts.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I just want to forewarn you…” I stared down at myself, the balls of my feet digging into the carpet, as if my nerves were shooting straight through the floorboards. “I don’t know if you’ve ever been with someone who’s had kids.”
What would he think of my body?
What if he only said kind things to make me feel better?
“I haven’t.” He stepped out of his sweats, his briefs hugging around the thickening bulge beneath. Eyes hooded, he looked at me and gave himself a stroke, the tip of him poking out through the bottom of his boxers, deep crimson with want. “If you think anything is going to change how much I want you, then you’re dead wrong.”
I gulped audibly, shimmying out of my halter. When my hands moved to my high-waisted leggings, I paused again, every insecurity rising to the surface over the softness of my body. The stretch marks. The scars.
Lynx stepped to me, all hard panes of muscle, and placed his hands over mine. “May I?”
“Sure,” I croaked out, my breath catching when he began to pull my leggings down past my hips, taking my underwear with them. Cold air rushed between my thighs.
I didn’t exhale until I’d shed them completely, fighting the urge to bring my hands in front of me.
I’d never been this way before. Afraid. But I wasn’t the same witch I was a year ago. I was still figuring out who this one was, wobbly bits and all.
“Goddess, you’re beautiful.” His eyes traced over me, twin pools shimmering with desire. My legs clenched, wetness building at their apex.
“You are,” I said, my brain devoid of any intelligible thought other than ‘is this real life?’ and ‘how will it feel to have him deep inside of me?’ Would sex evenfeelthe same? I was desperate to know, but the idea of finding out terrified me. I quickly turned, walking robotically into the wall-length walk-in shower and twisting the valve. Water rained from above and from the showerhead in front of me, and I let the droplets cover me, hoping it would stifle the way my body shook under Lynx’s gaze.
The rustle of clothing came from behind me—
“Shit. I forgot the monitor.”
“Witchy monitor at your service,” Lynx said, stepping into the shower behind me. “I will be able to sense when he wakes. Right now, though, let’s get you lathered up.”
A muscled arm reached past my head, grabbing the soap and pumping it a few times into his palm. He massaged gentle circles along my shoulder, passing the nape of my neck before doing the same on the other side. Then he moved up and down my spine, adding more pressure where my tattoo was to clean off the balm’s remains. He slowly placed his hands on my shoulders. “I’m going to turn you around now.”
I nodded, shifting my weight and facing him. His hands swept along my collarbone, my body tingling in response.
When he grazed the side of my breast, I nudged his hand away, snapping my arms across me like a protective shield.
Shit.I wasn’t expecting that.
