Chapter 17

Brexl

“I’m excited to use warm water to get clean this time. What about you?” Taylor offered in way of conversation. The last time she’d bathed she had used the cold ocean water, and I had used the cold stream.

This would be much nicer, and I was looking forward to it, but I wasn’t sure how to feel about being naked with Taylor in here. I knew exactly how my body felt about it. My cock stiffened as soon as I heard her clothes hit the floor.

It’s a wonder of wonders that I ever soften at all when I’m around her.

“The warm water will be nice,” I agree.

Once I undressed, I wasn’t sure what to do next. If I turned around, I might see Taylor naked, and I wasn’t sure if she would appreciate that.

After I stood naked, awkwardly staring at the wall, I heard Taylor giggle.

“You can turn around if you want. I’m in the water and I’ll look away until you are, too.”

I sighed with relief and turned to face the bathing pool. Taylor was looking away just as she said she would. Her normally pale cheeks were a rosy pink and her wet hair was slicked back along her head. She looked radiant. What I would give to run my hands along every inch of her.

I let out a muffled groan as I dipped into the water and sat down on the ledge, submerging every part of my body from my abdomen downward.

“Can I look yet?” Taylor asked, and I nodded in response. When I realized she wouldn’t be able to see me nod, I spoke aloud.

“Yes,” in a strained tone.

Taylor looked in my direction and smiled. “You look relaxed.”

Did I? I did not feel relaxed. How could one relax as the female of their dreams sat naked, but an arms-length away from them?

“How’s your wound? Does it hurt in the water?”

I had forgotten all about my wound. It hurt a little, but it was a minor pain that faded into the background of my racing thoughts about Taylor and the speeding beat of my heart.

Before I could respond, Taylor was next to me, using her gentle fingers to inspect my side.

“Does this hurt?” She asked as she pressed lightly against my skin.

I swallowed hard as I tried to concentrate enough to form words. Her proximity was clouding all my thoughts, and all I could think about were her small breasts that were just out of the water, enough to show the tops of her perfect roundness. They looked like they were just the right size to cup in my hands, and I longed to test that theory for myself.

“I’ll take that as no,” she giggled, as if she knew exactly why I was struggling to form words. She sat down about a foot away from me, but, of course, when she sat on the same ledge, the water came up to her neck since she was so much shorter than me.

I was disappointed to lose sight of the top of her breasts, but it was for the best. At least I had a chance to concentrate on what she was saying instead of just on how beautiful she looked.

She leaned her head back against the edge and closed her eyes. I took the moment to upbraid my hair and wash it while I could still put thoughts together. For I knew if Taylor stood up again, I’d lose all ability to think.

Once my hair was washed, Taylor opened her eyes and looked at me. “We need to practice looking like a mated couple.”

I nodded my head in agreement. I did not like being accused of not loving Taylor as much as the others loved their mates. I liked Taylor more than anyone on this planet. I just wasn’t sure how to show that physically. Taylor was the first person to touch me in a very long time, and even those touches weren’t romantic, but were more medical as she checked my wound.

“How do we do that?” I asked.

“I think we should practice kissing,” she ventured.

“Right now?” My voice came out as a shrill shriek. I didn’t think I could handle kissing Taylor while we were both naked, not unless my hands were tied behind my back and my cock was secured under multiple layers of clothing.

“No, not right now,” she laughed.

Her expression grew pensive as she thought about it. “What about before bed?”

“Before bed?” Thankfully, my voice was more even this time.

“Yeah, does that work for you?”

I nodded my head. We’d both be dressed and tired from the day. It shouldn’t be too hard to keep my body in check at that time.

“Is there anything else we should work on?” I couldn’t help but ask. I was both excited and terrified of her answer. I knew I shouldn’t, but I wanted to throw caution to the wind. Losing Taylor after this time of our pretend matehood, would undoubtedly be the worst pain I’d ever experience in my life, but it would be worth it to experience her kisses and whatever else she wanted to give me. I would cherish the memories we’d make together during this time and hold them close to my heart for the rest of my days.

“We should work on cuddling in general. That might help us more naturally gravitate to each other. Like when we’re standing together, we should be comfortable with you putting your arms around me like Drovo was holding Kayla.”

I nodded my head at this. It would help us look more like a couple if our movements were less stiff.

“Maybe we can cuddle after lunch. You can work on your bone carvings, and I can sit on your lap and practice my sewing.”

“That sounds reasonable,” I agreed.

“Great!” Taylor took a step toward the ledge of the pool and slipped.

I was there immediately to catch her. I lifted her into my arms to keep her from slipping again. My actions made sense in my head, but as I stood there with Taylor’s naked body pressed against my chest, I started to question the logic of my choices.

I drank in the sight of her. I’d seen her naked at the beach, but that was a quick glance at a distance. This was an up-close view of her soft skin and rounded curves. There was a patch of hair at the apex of her legs, hiding her sex. I wanted to push the hair out of the way so I could see her fully, drink in every wondrous inch of her.

Taylor was beautiful from head to toe.

My eyes roamed over her body until her eyes met mine.

“Sorry, I must have tripped.”

“It’s alright,” I grunted, and put her back down closer to the ledge.

She glanced over her shoulder at me as she walked up the stairs out of the pool. I was blessed with a view of her backside, and for the first time in many years, I thanked the goddess. Her backside was as perfect as the front. It swayed from side to side as she ascended the stairs.

“I’ll see you after lunch.” Taylor smiled down at me as she dried off and put on her fresh clothes.

“Yep,” my voice squeaked, and I coughed to try to cover it up. “See you then.”