Page 39 of Embers

At least this time, when he turns away, it doesn’t feel like we’re torn apart.

* * *

We go through the rest of the day like normal. He even lets me sleep in his bed. He holds me as I go to sleep, but he doesn’t bring me to orgasm. I don’t complain. He’s still figuring things out, and the last thing I want to do is pressure him into something he doesn’t want.

Anyway, orgasms aren’t what I want most from him.

The following day dawns hot and sticky, so I suggest we go to the waterfall to wash up. Cal’s hair and beard need trimming, and I feel gross after the long trip in the heat.

He doesn’t argue. He’s quiet this morning, but he doesn’t seem on the verge of shattering like he was yesterday.

He keeps his back turned as I stand under the fall of water and soap up. I shave my underarms and shampoo and condition my hair. Then I comb it out, braid it, and pull on the sundress I like to wear afterward.

“I’m ready,” I tell him. “But sit down here first so I can trim you up.”

He doesn’t argue. Just pulls off the T-shirt he’s wearing and sits on the rock we use as a seat. I feel his eyes on me as I work quickly, smoothing down his hair as best I can and then trimming off the extra length.

He seems tenser as I finish up with his beard. When I shift my focus, I discover his eyes are hot. They’re moving up and down from my face to my chest.

The neckline of this dress is loose, so it shows too much of my breasts when I move the wrong way.

“Sorry,” I murmur, my cheeks flushing as I rearrange my dress. “I wouldn’t have done that on purpose.”

It’s true. I don’t want to trick or seduce or push him into a choice he wouldn’t otherwise make. That wouldn’t be fair to him. Or to me.

“I know, baby. Not your fault I get turned on by just a glimpse of you.”

He sounds almost tender, and it makes my heartbeat skip. My hands shake slightly as I take the final snips on his beard.

But now I know he’s aroused, and it gets me going too. My pussy tightens, pulses in excitement as I step away and lay down the scissors. I avoid his gaze since I’m almost embarrassed by my body’s reaction.

“Rachel.”

My eyes fly up to meet his. His expression is hot. Hungry.

“Come ’ere, baby.”

I step forward, barely breathing.

“You turned on now too?” he asks thickly. When I’m close enough, he runs his palm up my bare leg until he’s cupping one of my ass cheeks.

“Yeah.” I shift from foot to foot. “But it’s okay. If you’re not sure, I don’t want to… force things.”

“You’ve never forced anything. Everything I ever did with you, I wanted.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” He shakes his head and draws me even closer until I’m standing between his parted thighs. “Never knew a man was capable of fuckin’wantingso much—until I started wanting you.”

I make a silly mewing sound and hang on to his shoulders since my knees are decidedly wobbly.

He uses both hands to stroke my body under my dress, from my thighs up to my breasts. He plays with my nipples for a while before moving down again to caress my bottom.

“You like this?” he murmurs, thick and soft.

“Yeah.” I bite my lower lip and sway slightly as he fingers my pussy.

“You like it when I touch you this way?”

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