I slowly peel them down my legs, baring my damp panties to him in the dim light of a single bulb. The cool air hits my skin, but I’m burning up.
Ludo lets out a low, vibrating growl that I feel to my core. He reaches out, but his large hand stops, hovering just inches away from my inner thigh.
“Touch me, Lu,” I whisper, my voice thick. “I want to feel your fingers on me.”
He closes the distance, palm hot against my skin as it traces the curve of my leg. With agonizing slowness, his thumb skims down and down until it meets the damp silk that shields my core.
I arch my back, a gasp escaping me as my toes flex.
But then, he stops again, pulling back his hand.
I look up to see his expression shift from one of hunger to one of uncertainty.
—I don’t know…—
“Don’t know what?”
Ludo sinks back onto his heels.—I have never done this—
Actually, that doesn’t surprise me, given his history. I pull my knees together. “Do you want to stop? It’s OK. We can stop, just kiss. Or nothing at all.”
He looks down at the mattress, his face darkening with a flush. —I did not think I’d ever know such things…I don’t deserve you—
Shit. I crawl forward until I’m kneeling directly in front of him, then take his calloused hands in mine.
Bringing them to my lips, I kiss his knuckles. “I’ve never met a man who deserves the world, Ludo,” I say, my voice firm. “Not until I met you. And as for not knowing what to do... that’s OK. We’ll learn together. I’m hardly an expert.”
He raises an eyebrow.—The horse. The gryphon—
“Yes, and Wes too. But everyone is different.” I reach out and tug gently on the sleeve of his coveralls. “I want you, Ludo. I wantyou. But only if that’s something you want too, something you are ready for. Because also, I’ll wait for you until the end of the world.”
—I want…—
“Yes?”
—I want to…try…but what do I do?—
I look at him, filling my gaze with everything possible to express my love.
“Whatever you want to do.”
30
Whatever I want?
I want everything.
Smell.
Look.
Taste.
Touch.
And with the blessing of my Nymph, I allow myself to fall into those desires.
The want.
