Page 9 of A Winter Courtship
Heat pooled in Ulrich’s gut at the desire in Lutoth’s white gaze.
Oh. That’s what you want.
His heart sank.
Suddenly everything made sense. The nymph desired him. And Ulrich understood desire.
He supposed it shouldn’t surprise him that Lutoth wanted a quick fuck with the coarse, brutish human.Maybe this is what the Solstice gifts mean. Maybe courting is just a convoluted way to get me into bed.
He shouldn’t feel disappointed to realise that all Lutoth wanted was a quick tumble. What else could he want Ulrich for? Someone like Lutoth would never actually admire or want him for anything else.
“But I’d like to see even more of you. Every lovely inch of you.” Lutoth enunciated each word, gaze hot and full of hunger.
And despite his disappointment, Ulrich’s dick took notice, perking up. Because he couldn’t deny Lutoth was attractive. And it’d been a while since he’d had sex.
Lutoth stepped closer until they stood only a breath apart. “I see you perfectly, Ulrich. And I’m going to court you thoroughly.”
Ulrich inhaled sharply, and the scent of Lutoth, like a brisk wind on a winter’s day, filled his nose.
“I’m not some fancy lady who needs to be courted,” Ulrich protested weakly.
If Lutoth just wanted a quick fuck, all he needed to do was suggest it. Ulrich would be more than willing to take Lutoth to his bed, or the nearest cave. It had been a long time since Ulrich had experienced the touch of a man.
Then they’d continue with their lives. Separately. And Lutoth wouldn’t want to see him ever again. Or who knew, maybe he’d want another fuck with Ulrich from time to time. But only ever that.
“But I am getting ahead of myself.” Lutoth stepped back with a slight shake of his head. “It is only the second day. I am going to court you, and I am going to do it properly, my sweet, gentle giant. I will show you how much I care for you and show you my affections are true. I wish to win your heart.”
Ulrich didn’t speak for several seconds. “Win my heart?”
“Yes,” Lutoth said softly. “I want to win your heart.” Lutoth held up the fish. “Will you accept my gift?”
Shocked, Ulrich reached out and took the fish. “Thank you.”
Lutoth’s smile blinded him. “Until tomorrow, then.”
“Until tomorrow,” Ulrich said.
“Goodbye, Ulrich.” Lutoth reached out and patted Ethel. “Goodbye, Ethel.”
Then he was gone, disappearing almost instantly amongst the trees. He’d never seen an oread move so swiftly and silently.
After several moments, Ulrich spoke, “What?”
Ethel lifted her head and gazed at him.
“I don’t understand.” Ulrich stroked Ethel’s cheek, slightly damp from the snow. “Why would he want to win my heart? Do you think he means it?”
He couldn’t wrap his head around it.
“And he keeps saying I’m pretty. Perhaps he doesn’t properly understand what that means in the human tongue.” Although, Lutoth spoke it well enough.
Everyone who knew Ulrich thought of him as the coarse blacksmith. Ulrich with his rough, calloused hands. He was always covered in sweat, soot, and smoke. Not to mention he lived with a reindeer.
No one wanted him for anything more than a quick tupping.
When he’d visited his brother in Bordertown a couple of years ago, he’d gone to this particular pub. Ulrich had been there several times before when he visited Bordertown. His brother had told him he could find company there. He’d sat at an empty table, nervous like he always was at this pub. He’d looked around at all the city folk, feeling too big and too coarse compared to everyone else in their meticulous, fancy clothes.
He didn’t know what he’d hoped for that night. But if he was being completely honest with himself, he’d wanted more than sex. He’d wanted a little human connection.
