Page 19 of Simon

No, no, no. Intrusive thoughts, bad. We do not want to think about that tongue anywhere.

Sure I do, those horns scraping against my thighs while he vigorously lapped at my clit.

It’s an animal, Lucy.

Well, he is mostly animal.

We don’t even know if it talks, but he understands.

Wait, he has an opposable thumb!

Ugh, so do monkeys, but that doesn’t mean humans—

I was so lost in my own thoughts, I didn’t notice that he’d stepped closer to me, and both his hands were cupping my face. I was too stunned to move when he came nose-to-nose with me.

“Ucy.”

Charles fudging Darwin.

Chapter Eight

Simon

Shedidn’tpushmeaway.

Instead, she stumbled back into a sturdy tree while I followed. I refused to release my grip on her face, my selfishness overpowering any urge to let go. The sight of her arms, covered in scrapes, some with dots of blood, filled me with anger. The metallic scent filled my lungs, which intensified my frustration towards Dutton for treating her less than the precious female she was.

However, amidst his sins, I couldn’t deny the excitement that I felt being here with my Lucy.

I would not let my anger surface for her to see. I concealed it beneath a calm façade so she wouldn’t be more afraid than she already was. Instead, I would reveal my care for her through tender actions, tending to her wounds with gentle hands and easing her pain with a soft touch.

Her shock was clear. She had seen an ogre today; they were beastly monsters, and I was a new… creature? Another monster?

Internally, I shook my head. I was a true monster—the only one of my kind. The way she had studied me these last few minutes, I didn’t know if she thought of me that way.

Over the past few days, I’d practiced saying her name. I could not make the sound that started it. I tried my best, but my best was not good enough. With time running out, I was only able to give her “Ucy.”

That was when I had really gotten her attention, and her eyes widened in surprise. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as I came closer, our noses almost touching. In that moment, her intoxicating scent engulfed me, overwhelming my desire for her.

The yellowcress root I had seen Dutton spread around her was laughable. I thought I might be the only being in all of Bergarian who could sniff through it. Her scent was so strong, and I could smell it and the faintness of mine on her wrist, where I’d left it the night before as if the root wasn’t there.

There was also another scent. It twisted with the fresh grass and rain but also a hint of sweet musk that made me drool. My body warmed when I leaned close to sniff her neck, and her body trembled as I let go of her face so my hands could travel lower down her body.

Since she was awake, surely this was more appropriate.

My hands traveled lower and landed on her chest. My head perked up, feeling the soft curve and the plumpness to it. I feltmine at the same time. Hmm, mine was firmer, while hers was soft.

She was female. This must be her teat, then.

I squeezed her chest again, and she pushed me. I stumbled back in shock. “I beg your finest pardon!” She glared at me, holding her teats.

I grunted and stepped towards her. She was my mate. I was allowed to touch her, to feel her, just like she could feel me. Perhaps she did not know. I grabbed her wrist and put it on my chest. I let her rub the skin and gripped her fingers to squeeze. Mine was hard, but I showed her it was okay.

Her face turned a bright red, and she looked away. “Yes, a very nice… chest you have. But you cannot squeeze my breast. It isn’t proper!” She pulled her hand away and rubbed it on her clothing.

I lifted my arm.Did I stink?

I tilted my head and stared at her breast, closer. Why could I not squeeze it? I liked it and wanted to do it again. I lifted my hand to cup it, and she slapped my hand.

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