Page 39 of Locking Down Qetesh

"That makes sense," he said. "If it's where you put most of your time and work."

"Yes. This bird of paradise is from Ella's nursery," I said, gesturing to the plant with orange and yellow flowers.

"It's beautiful."

"She's very talented when it comes to plants."

"And you are at keeping them. I don't need to touch all of them here to be able to tell that they're all healthy. I can feel it in the air."

"I think that's why I like being in here. It recharges me, and makes my magic hum inside me. I probably sound ridiculous."

"You don't," he said softly. "I can feel it. Not as well as you can, I don't think, but it's there, and it's reacting. You probably know better than most about how dryad magic works."

"True, I have had a lot of practice."

The timer for the food beeps from the kitchen, breaking through our time in the greenhouse. I should be disappointed, but I'm not. I know this is just the start of the time I get to spend with him tonight, and I'm already sure it's going to be a great evening.

Chapter 16

QETESH

The bedroom door closed behind us, and I took a deep breath. I turned to face Jacob and set myself off laughing.

"Tesha?" he prompted.

"I'm sorry, it's just that I realised I don't actually know what to do now."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Usually, I've just let the other person drive the interaction," I said. "And I brought you in here, but now I don't really know what to do."

"Okay, well, maybe we start slow." He stepped closer, his hand landing on my waist as he drew me to him. The weight of it felt nice, though it wasn't enough to start me responding.

He dipped his head lower and pressed his lips against mine. There was a softness about the kiss, and a surety, that made a lot of my worries slip away, even if I currently had no answer.

We broke apart, and he lifted his fingers to trace over the lines of my face. "Tell me what you like," he said.

I swallowed hard. "Out loud?"

He chuckled, the sound vibrating his chest under my palm. "Preferably. I can't read your mind."

"I like my nipples touched," I whispered. "They're sensitive."

"Okay, good start." He turned me around and found the zip at the back of my dress, drawing it down slowly.

The knowledge of what was going to happen, and the way his touch lingered on me a moment longer than it needed to, were enough to start the anticipation building. This part had always felt a little contradictory for me. I didn't feel any need to be here, but I was still looking forward to it. Though it was a lot more comfortable to be in this situation with someone who I knew understood how I felt inside.

My dress dropped to the floor, leaving the cool air to prickle against my skin.

"You'll need to tell me if anything is too much," Jacob muttered as he skimmed his hand over my arm.

"It's good," I responded, reaching for his hand and drawing it up to my breasts. My bra was still in the way, but it seemed like a good idea to start there.

He traced his thumb over the edge where my skin met the fabric, sending a thrill through me. My body started to respond, just like I knew it would when someone was touching me like this. It had never been a case of disliking this part, it was just that I found it difficult to explain that I didn't crave it, not like a lot of people seemed to.

I turned around and put my arms around his neck. "We should get rid of the clothes and go to the bed."

"We can do that," he responded, leaning in and brushing his lips against mine. It was still a sweet kiss, but that only added to how safe all of this felt.

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