Chapter 17

17

KOVI

I tap my pencil on my notebook as I read the text about biomes throughout Northern Europe and Russia. It would be so dope to visit those snowcapped mountains and commune with their winter trees. I’d love to travel there, or even to faraway places in North America. The dryad in me wants to romp around and visit flora all over the world. But if I stay at Creelin after I graduate, then…

“Penny for your thoughts?” I look up to spot the man who’s occupied most of my free time. Tanner is holding up a paper bag and a coffee cup, and I smile so quickly it hurts. I’m seated on a stone bench on the quad near my favorite tree not far from the library. It’s a warm autumn afternoon laced with the final throes of summer. A nature nerd like me is more than happy to sit outside and study. “Or rather, werebear claw for your thoughts? That doesn’t roll off the tongue, though. I don’t know how to casually bribe my way into interrupting your studying.” He bites his lip. “How am I botching this?” he murmurs. He’s so adorable it should be illegal.

“Hey, you.”

“How’s studying?” Tanner sits next to me, and I shut my book.

“As well as ever.” I lean my head on my hands with my elbows propped on my lap. I bet I have googly eyes with cartoon hearts in them. We’ve been texting a lot more since going official last week, and we both agreed to spend more time apart on the weekdays to focus on schoolwork. But if he and I happened to take a break at the same time, then that’s just a happy coincidence, right? “I’m ahead of the curriculum,” I add.

“Ah, well, you looked so lost in thought. I’m on break, so I figured I’d stop by and say hi. I know we said we’d cool our jets on the weekdays, but I had this extra pastry, and—”

“Tanner, you don’t have to explain.” I grin and take the treat bag. The aroma of cinnamon floods my nose and I tap my chest. “This is amazing, thank you.”

“Ah, it’s no big deal.”

I munch on the werebear claw and he scoots closer to me on the bench. A warm day with my favorite treat and my favorite guy feels heavenly. My skin prickles with excitement and we’re not even touching shoulders. “But it means a lot. I don’t want you spending all your money on treats I can buy myself.”

“Can’t a guy do a nice thing for his boyfriend?”

I grin. “Of course. But fair warning: you keep being this cute, I’ll want you to cuddle with me and stay.” Ideally forever . I know it’s crazy early, but I haven’t seen a reason why I would want to leave Tanner. I’m sure he’ll eventually find out I’m not worth it, that I could never be the perfect life partner for him because of what I am. But until that day comes, I’ll enjoy our time together.

“I’d…like that.” His cheeks burn an adorable pink.

“Go for it.” With that, I scooch back and he places his head on my thighs. Tanner is a warm, solid weight, and I find I like having him here. I card my fingers through his blazing red hair, and he closes his eyes and hums. The plant life quivers around me, and I try to tamp down how turned-on this boy gets me.

“How was your day?” he murmurs.

“Nothing exciting. I’m the loser who’s studying international biomes for fun.”

“You’re not a loser. Your thirst for knowledge is commendable. And crazy attractive.”

I bite back a swoon. Tanner keeps saying all the words I’ve wanted to hear. Having him as a boyfriend is the best, even if it’s not forever.

“Thanks, Tanner.” I play with his fingers, and it feels like we’re the only two people in the world.

“Your expertise is why you snagged that internship with the dean,” he says.

“Yeah.” I sigh and look up.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not one-hundred percent sold on it.”

“Hit me with your troubles.”

I caress his cheek, and with his eyes still closed, he smiles. “It’s like, I love the idea of a job after graduation. Ensuring income…”

“It’s important,” he remarks.

“Yeah, but I kind of wanted to expand my branches. Literally. I was hoping the OME would hire me for something beyond the reaches of this school.”

“I get it.” He opens his eyes and I look down at those green orbs. “You have ambition. And the world will be a better place if you get to show off your skills.”

My soul wants to wrap Tanner up and plant him in the garden of my heart. “Thanks, babe. How about you?”

“Hm?”

I toy with his fingers. “How’s work?”

“Coffee life is busy, but Seth is cool.” He hums and closes his eyes again when I rub his scalp.

“I meant on the weekends.”

He shrugs. “Construction is alright.”

“Really?”

“Well, it was a low barrier of entry in high school, had decent hours for a teenager. I needed the money for books and pencils.”

“I’m glad you had that opportunity.”

“I couldn’t ask Aunt Hannah to pay for everything. Nor did I want to. Working nonstop has always been my life.”

“Oh,” I reply. I’m peering into the depths of Tanner, and I don’t know what to say. I frown slightly. My parents, for all their flaws, financially supported me. I never needed to work, it was always optional.

“Which is why I’m glad I’m here.” He gazes up at me. The fondness in his eyes makes me feel like the tallest sequoia in the west.

“I’m glad you’re here, too.” I crane my neck down to give him a chaste kiss. I’ve never liked public displays of affection, but I’ve never cared about anyone this much.

“How about for our next date, we skip the museum?”

“You mean go straight back to your place?” Tanner asks.

“No, you handsome doofus.” I tickle him and we both laugh. “I mean we can do something more down to earth, so to speak. Less money, more experience.”

He eyes me in concern. “I want to treat you to dinner sometimes. Don’t think I don’t have any money. Kovi, I can—”

“I know you can. And you’re amazing. But I like the simple things, too. Please? Let me take you out my way.”

His back relaxes, and he gazes up at me again from his lap. “Alright, pretty monster.” He smirks and I snicker. “I’m glad I earned another date.”

My emotions threaten to choke me, so I lean down and kiss him again. My pulse rises, and the fact that we’re in public is fading away. Before I can make a mistake and start undressing him, the ringing of his phone interrupts us.

He sighs and says, “That means I need to get back to work.”

He sits up and I nod. “That’s for the best.” When he looks at me in confusion, I add, “You have stuff to do, and so do I. I really liked you visiting me though. Best interruption ever.”

He winks and kisses me again. “Anytime, stud.” He walks away and I don’t even hide the fact that I’m gazing at his ass in those black jeans. Tanner McGregor truly is someone I hate to see leave, but love to watch him go.

Several days later, I’m waiting by the west gate as the sun sets. I gaze at the stoic gargoyles, hoping tonight goes well. “Alright, stud, I’m here.” Hearing my boyfriend’s voice, I spin around. I’m taken aback by how handsome he looks. Tanner is wearing that stylish denim jacket over green flannel, dark jeans, and brown boots. He’s like a sexy lumberjack, and I can’t believe I get to go on dates with him.

“Wow,” I mutter breathlessly.

“What’s this?” He grins and points to the basket in my hands.

I shake my head. “It’s uh, our date.” I shrug. “I was hoping we could take an evening walk and a picnic.”

Tanner’s smile makes my heart blossom like a redbud on the first day of spring. “That sounds awesome. And thoughtful. And sweet.” He seems equal parts surprised and touched, and I’m proud to be able to pull off this whole romantic boyfriend vibe. Tanner doesn’t need to know how few dates I’ve been on.

“All the best for you.” I give him a dramatic wink and we both crack up.

“You’re corny, Sampath, but I like it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” He loops his arm through mine and turns me around. “Take me on a date, pretty monster.” I beam at him and attempt to memorize the feel of him so close to my side. This is where he belongs.

We amble down the familiar path past campus, far from the parking lot. The setting sun is casting a distinct purple glow in the sky. It’s not too cold, and Tanner by my side has me warmer than ever. After five minutes of walking down the trail, my hot date breaks the silence. “Alright, where are we going?”

“Somewhere familiar,” I say with a grin.

“Not the woods, right?”

I don’t miss the trepidation in his voice. He tenses up and I pull him closer. “No, I promise,” I reply in a softer tone. It sucks that he’s afraid of the woods, my home away from home. Maybe, if all goes well, he’ll want to come with me to explore deeper into the forest and I can show him up close how I commune with flora. He can’t stay afraid of that side of me forever, right?

One day at a time, though. “We’re going to the riverside.”

“Oh, sweet.” He relaxes and we walk past several others walking to and from the riverbank. When we arrive at the unoccupied firepit, I make quick work of laying out my red plaid blanket. With the sun almost set, I turn on my electric lantern and place it on the corner of the fabric.

“You really came prepared,” he says, sitting cross-legged.

“Hey, gotta do what I can without a car.”

“Oof, that’s rough,” Tanner replies. “I can’t get by without driving.”

“I do alright.” I take out the wrapped sandwiches and water bottles. “I just, kind of, walk everywhere, or hitch a ride with Blake.”

“Like how you got to my aunt’s house. That was fast.”

“It’s easy through the forest.” As a dryad, I can take many, many rural shortcuts. I nod and close the picnic basket. “How is your aunt, by the way?”

I unwrap a sandwich, but before I can start eating, Tanner shoots me a serious look. Then, he leans forward and gives me a slow, gentle kiss. I’m shocked, frozen, and more than a little turned on. When he sits back down, he says, “That’s what I like about you, Kovi. You’re always thinking of others.”

My cheeks fizzle with warmth. Tanner’s flattering words make me feel like my soul is jumping off a waterfall. It might be early, but tasting his lips is a sensation I don’t want to lose.

We chat for several minutes while digging into our wizard sandwiches. Nabbing grub and snacks from the dining hall isn’t exactly an extravagant meal, but Tanner doesn’t seem to mind in the slightest. He tells me that Aunt Hannah is back to her sassy self. I let him know about Seth’s latest hook-up shenanigans. The conversation never dulls down, and the sound of the river a few yards away is the perfect soundtrack to the date.

Even though some bystanders stroll by for a night walk or bike ride along the river, it feels like Tanner and I are in our own little world. I’ve never smiled or laughed this much with another person. He and I continue to simply fit in each other’s lives.

After dinner, I lay on my back while Tanner cuddles up to my shoulder. We point out constellations and try to recall what we learned last week at the planetarium. I card my fingers through his red hair and he hums in approval.

“What are your parents like?” Tanner’s voice is so soft, I nearly miss the words. I hear crickets chirp in the background, and after a moment, he moves his head. “I’m sorry, that was…”

“No, it’s cool.” I place his head back on my shoulder where it belongs, and take a deep breath. “My parents are…well, we have a strained relationship.”

“Because you’re a monster?” he asks quietly. He trails his hand on my chest and I focus on his adorable fingers.

“It wasn’t what my parents signed up for. It’s what no one signed up for with the Halloween Wave, but we all made do. Some people’s parents turned into monsters, too.”

“The same species and everything,” Tanner says, and we chuckle.

“Yeah. My parents are supportive, but more from afar. It got worse when I…” I gulp, not wanting to bring up my past. I think Tanner knows I was about to mention that traumatic moment for us, the day I hurt him as a child. He squeezes my side in support, giving me the strength to continue. “Anyway, the OME financially assists us, so I’m able to stay on campus a lot.”

“Glad to hear it,” he says on my chest.

“Yeah.” I continue to play with his hair, and a strange thought bubbles to the surface of my mind; I want to know everything about Tanner McGregor. “What about your family?”

He sighs, and rolls off, looking up at the twinkling night sky. I’m about to take back the question when he says, “Not much to speak of. It’s a tale as old as time really.”

“What?”

“I was the poor ginger kid with a dead mom and a dad who eventually drank himself to death.” He scoffs, and my heart aches. “No wonder no one wanted to be my friend on the playground.”

“Hey.” I lean over and place my hand on his chest, feeling his heart beat. “I always wanted to be your friend. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their life.”

The moment is tense as I gaze into his eyes. The light of the lantern is barely enough for me to make his expression, but I can sense his fondness for me. When I lean closer, I spy another emotion—hope. I hope Tanner’s future is nothing like his past, and I hope I get to be by his side for it. It’s all so new, so I don’t dare make those wishes out loud. Before I can ask him anything else, he sits up and I move next to him.

Tanner takes my chin in his hand and gently, almost reverently, kisses me. He’s massaging his mouth with mine. When his tongue parts my lips, I can taste the hint of the berries we shared for dessert. Kissing Tanner is officially my new favorite pastime.

My instincts run wild as our kissing gets heated. I want to take off my shirt. I want to tear my clothes and shift into my roots and branches. I want to take Tanner, here and now, letting my hardening cock do what I yearn for.

When he pulls back, we both take deep breaths as he studies my face in the darkness. He caresses my cheek, and I’m not sure what he’s looking for. “Kovi…do you want to go all the way tonight?”

My mind short circuits and my breathing stops. Is he asking me to…?

“Tanner, I—”

“I have no preference. I can bottom, I prepped for that. Or I can top, but…I want to feel you.”

At that moment, a gust of wind surges from the river, moving the blanket forward. It’s perfect timing, too, because my inner dryad just made several trees quiver in proximal delight. I don’t want Tanner to catch me causing a forest flashmob, and I don’t want to lose control of my branches.

I gulp, then swiftly stand up. “It’s, uh, getting pretty cold out here.” I put my hand out for him. “Would you like to, um, take this date elsewhere?”

He’s smirking, but takes my hand anyway. “As long as we can have some privacy,” he purrs. His cocky voice is so damn sexy.

When he gets up, I look him in the eyes and say, “My place, Mr. McGregor?”

He nods and bites his lip. “I’d be honored.”

And, in record time, we pack up the picnic blanket and walk back to campus. There’s not a moment to waste, after all.