Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

A week later, Clarice curled deeper into her corner of the couch, savoring the peaceful evening routine she’d come to cherish. The flames cast a warm glow across Rudi’s features as he sat in his own corner, close enough on the small couch that their shoulders almost touched. Her fingers traced idle patterns on the worn leather as she watched him from the corner of her eye.

The past week had settled into a comfortable rhythm—they shared breakfast every morning before she went to spend the day with Miran, learning about healing herbs and village customs.

Lina always came to join them after her classes. Twice the lessons had been canceled and she’d bounced in for breakfast and spent the whole day with them. Her relatives either didn’t notice or didn’t care that she was gone.

And then there were the evenings...

They usually cooked together, although as she gained confidence with the various ingredients she’d shooed him away a few times she could experiment. Although he tried to maintain his gruff facade, his eyes often sparkled with amusement at her questions, and the corners of his mouth twitched into what she suspected might be the beginnings of a smile. He’d even stopped turning away as quickly when his antlers glowed.

They were doing that more and more frequently. Especially when they sat here together in the evenings. Sometimes they would talk—mostly she would—but often they would lapse into silence, each of them focused on their own work. She was currently stitching together a new dress—the pants were perfect for the weather, but she missed having a little variety in her wardrobe. Rudi had helped her dye the thick cloth a soft shade of blue and had even helped her to cut out the pieces, his big fingers surprisingly nimble.

As they sat on the couch, her hands kept itching to reach for him. She’d caught him watching her with an intensity that made her breath catch, but he always looked away first. Each time she shifted closer, he tensed before gradually relaxing, like a wild creature learning to trust. They hadn’t repeated the kiss. As much as she wanted to kiss him, she didn’t want to push him into something he wasn’t ready for.

He suddenly cleared his throat and pulled a package out of his pocket, wrapped in plain brown paper like all his gifts. He’d given her something almost every night, despite her protests.

“It’s nothing special,” he said gruffly. “For the cold.”

Inside the paper inside lay a scarf of impossibly soft fabric, its delicate weave creating patterns that seemed to shimmer in the firelight. The deep blue would match her new dress perfectly. She ran her fingers over the intricate stitching, recognizing the hours of careful work, despite his quick dismissal.

His shoulders were hunched as if he expected her to reject it - to reject him - although she’d loved everything he’d given her, and she’d done everything she could to show him how much she liked him.

Something has to change.

“It’s beautiful,” she said softly. “Thank you.”

She leaned over and kissed him, not on his mouth despite the temptation, but simply brushing her lips across the soft texture of his cheek. His fists clenched and she hid a smile as she rose. However much he was fighting it, he wanted to kiss her too. Kiss her... and perhaps more. A low pulse of arousal ran through her body at the thought.

She stretched lazily, raising her arms above her head. The movement pulled her shirt tight across her body, and she caught his heated gaze following the line of her curves. Her skin warmed under his attention, even as he quickly looked away.

She wrapped the scarf around her shoulders, letting the silky fabric caress her skin.

“You know, it’s ridiculous for you to keep sleeping on that tiny couch. The bed’s more than big enough for both of us.”

His antlers flickered with a brief golden light before dimming. Raw desire flashed across his face, making her heart race, but then his expression shuttered. He shook his head, jaw clenched.

“The couch is fine.”

“If you say so.”

She kept her tone light, refusing to let his stubbornness discourage her. He’d insisted that she stay in the bedroom, even though she’d discovered a small storage room that was large enough for a single bed.

At the bedroom doorway, she paused. Instead of closing the door as she had every night this past week, she left it wide open. The warm light from the fire spilled into the darkness of her room—their room, if he’d only accept it.

“The door’s staying open,” she said softly. “You’re welcome to join me, Rudi. Whenever you’re ready.”

Her pulse raced as she changed into her nightgown, her eyes on the doorway. He didn’t appear and she sighed as she climbed into bed, reminding herself to be patient. She heard the sound of footsteps and realized he was pacing restlessly beyond the open door. Her heart had nearly stopped when his tall frame appeared in the doorway, a dark silhouette against the dying firelight.

She stayed perfectly still as he crossed the room, his footsteps hesitant. The bed dipped under his weight as he slid in beside her, his body rigid with tension. Without a word, she rolled over and curled against him, patting his chest in gentle reassurance. His muscles remained taut, but he didn’t pull away.

She expected to lie awake, hyperaware of his presence. Instead, she felt safe, protected, and fell asleep almost immediately.

The next morning she drifted slowly into consciousness, wrapped in warmth and a familiar spicy scent. Strong arms held her close, and she smiled, keeping her eyes closed to savor the moment. His arms were wrapped around her waist, holding her like she might disappear if he loosened his grip. His chest rose and fell in the steady rhythm of sleep against her back. She hadn’t truly expected him to stay through the night—had half- convinced herself she’d wake to find him gone. But here he was, wrapped around her like he belonged nowhere else.

Happiness filled her, but at the same time she was acutely aware of every inch of his body. Even though he was still dressed, his cock was hard and thick against her bottom, and a low pulse of arousal ran through her.

There was a subtle shift in his breathing, and his arms tightened fractionally around her. She tilted her head back to find his eyes fixed on her, his expression guarded and unreadable.

“Why did you invite me into your bed?” The question burst from him, gruff and demanding, yet underneath she caught a hint of vulnerability.

“It’s really your bed,” she teased, watching him frown at her deflection. Her voice softened as she added, “but I wanted to share it with you.”

There was a subtle shift in his breathing, and his arms tightened fractionally around her. She tilted her head back to find his eyes fixed on her, his expression guarded and unreadable.

“Why did you invite me into your bed?” The question burst from him, gruff and demanding, yet underneath she caught a hint of vulnerability.

“It’s really your bed,” she teased, watching him frown at her deflection. Her voice softened as she added, “but I wanted to share it with you.”

“Why?” The single syllable held a world of uncertainty.

“Because I... like you, and I think you like me too. Even though I’m human.”

“I do like you,” he said gruffly. “More than I should.”

“More than you should?” she echoed softly.

“I’m not meant for you. You deserve better.”

Her chest tightened at the raw doubt in his eyes. Here was a male who’d never known genuine acceptance, who couldn’t fathom someone choosing to be close to him. She twisted around in his arms, then pressed her lips to his.

His body went rigid for a heartbeat, and then he melted into the kiss. His mouth moved against hers, soft and searching, and his antlers began to glow as they always did when he experienced strong emotions. The thought that she triggered such emotions made her smile against his lips.

The kiss deepened, and he groaned, pulling her even closer. When his tongue finally traced along the seam of her lips, her mouth parted eagerly. The sweet glide of his mouth against hers sent a shiver through her body. His hesitation vanished, replaced by raw hunger that stole her breath. His lips moved with desperate need, as if he’d been starving for her touch.

She ran her palms over the corded muscles of his arms, marveling at the suede-like texture of his skin. Through the thin fabric of his shirt, a red glow caught her attention—but then his mouth found the sensitive spot below her ear, and coherent thought scattered like leaves in a storm.

His hands started to roam, stroking over her body in a tentative exploration, then growing more confident. When he brushed her breast, his thumb circling her nipple, a jolt went straight to her clit. She gasped against his mouth and felt him smile, his hand cupping her breast. His thumb teased her nipple again, and she felt it tighten and peak beneath the soft material.

“Yes,” she whispered against his lips, and he took the encouragement to move his head lower.

He nuzzled the soft skin above her breast, then his hot mouth covered her nipple. She could feel the heat of it even through the fabric, and she arched upwards, trying to get closer to him. His hand tightened on her other breast, massaging the soft flesh, and she whimpered.

He lifted his head to look at her, his eyes wide and wondering as he reached for the ribbon that held the front of her nightgown together. The bow slipped apart and he slowly pulled the fabric away, exposing her breasts to the cool morning air. Her nipples peaked further, but not from the cold. His thumbs brushed them, sending another shiver down her spine.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, his eyes fixed on her breasts.

His mouth returned to her breast, and she moaned at the touch of his hot mouth to her bare flesh, his tongue teasing her nipple. She reached up and pulled his head closer, trying to increase the contact, and he obliged. His mouth covered her, sucking eagerly, and the shiver became a full-bodied shudder. She could feel him, hard and hot against her thigh, and rocked against him. He groaned, and she felt him thicken even further.

As his lips tugged on her breast, his hand slipped down her stomach to the juncture of her thighs. His fingers stroked her folds lightly through her panties, and her body clenched as she tried to pull him closer. The thin fabric created a delicious friction, and she rocked against him, desperate for more.

“Touch me,” she demanded. “Please.”

Instead he started to pull away, and she quickly put her hand over his to keep him touching her.

“What’s wrong?”

His eyes closed for a long minutes, his expression tortured, before he finally answered her.

“I don’t know how.”

The words were rough, raw with vulnerability, and she froze. He’d always been an outcast, always alone. Of course he didn’t know how.

She brushed her lips against his, gently this time, a wordless reassurance.

“Then we can explore together. Learn together.”

He hesitated, gleaming amber eyes searching her face. Slowly, he nodded and his hand slipping beneath the fabric to her naked flesh. His fingers stroked her folds, sliding in the slick heat and sending waves of pleasure through her body. Then his fingers found the tiny pearl of her clit, and she jerked helplessly.

He froze.

“No. Don’t stop. That feels wonderful. Just be gentle.”

She placed her hand on his and guided him to the right rhythm. He watching her face intently as his fingers danced across her slick flesh. She let out a moan, her hips rising to meet his touch, and his eyes lit with pleasure at her reaction. Her body tightened, and he continued to stroke her, his touch assured now as she whimpered into his mouth. Her hips rocked against his hand as the heat built inside her.

His fingers tightened around her swollen clit, tugging lightly, and she cried out He repeated the movement, his mouth returning to her breast at the same time and the combination was too much for her. She cried out, her entire body arching against him, as the tension exploded into waves of pleasure. His touch eased, but continued, prolonging the sensations until she collapsed against the mattress, panting and boneless.

His expression was a mixture of masculine pride and wonder as he watched her.

“Did I please you, Clarice?”

“Very much.” She gave him a sultry smile. “And now it’s my turn.”

Just as she reached for him, a loud bang shattered the moment. He yanked the covers back over her just as Lina bounced into the bedroom, her silver skin practically vibrating with excitement as she clutched something in her small hands.

“Look what I found!” She thrust her palm forward, revealing a tiny crystal. Her enthusiasm faltered as she glanced between them, head tilted. “Why are you still in bed?”

Heat flooded her cheeks as she quickly tugged her nightgown down under the covers.

“We were just...” She cleared her throat. “What kind of crystal is that, sweetheart?”

Lina’s face lit up again, her previous confusion forgotten. She scrambled onto the bed between them, her small antler buds catching the morning light.

“I found it near the stream! It was all sparkly in the water.”

The mattress dipped as she settled cross-legged, launching into a detailed account of her morning adventure. She caught her eye over the little girl’s head, and his lips quirked in a rueful smile that made her heart flutter. After a moment’s hesitation, he stretched his arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer as Lina chattered on.

Warmth spread through her chest that had nothing to do with embarrassment. Lina’s animated storytelling, Rudi’s gentle touch—it felt right. Like belonging. Like family.