Twenty-Two
“Yes.” Lola whispered.
Erik leaned forward, his lips hovering over hers and she sucked in a breath, his scent filling her sense as she closed her eyes.
His lips pressed against hers, gentle but firm and warm. Erik’s thumbs stroked over her wrist as he trailed his hand up her arm. Lola waited for the feelings to move through her. For goosebumps to pop up as he put a hand on the back of her neck, holding her in place as his lips moved against hers and she responded. The other taking the teacup from her hands and placing it on the wicker table.
Lola moved closer, twisting her legs to the side as he tried to deepen the kiss. Her lips parted with a sigh as his hand moved to her side. Pulling her closer as his tongue touched against hers.
Erik’s thumb brushed against the side of her breast and she felt her nipple harden. Lola gasped at the feeling. It wasn’t the same as it was with the fae men. The kiss with Erik was nice, almost like putting on your favorite sweater.
Comforting, soothing, but not thrilling.
She pulled back, worrying her lip as she looked into his eyes. Erik slowly opened his eyes. She saw a hunger there she hadn’t realized he would feel for her. It was much too soon for him to look at her like that.
“Thank you, Lola.” Erik breathed out and she frowned.
Lola wasn’t sure how to respond. The kiss hadn’t left her breathless and craving more like Bodach’s had. It was just nice, not toe curling.
“For what?” Lola asked as she sat, her back straight as he dragged his hand down her arm. Trapping her in the loose circle of his arms.
“For letting me kiss you. How do you feel?”
“I, I’m not sure how I feel?” Lola said, worrying her lower lip. How was she supposed to tell him that it had been nice? Just nice, but it made her think about another kiss. A kiss that had made her toes curl and her body respond in a way that his kiss had not.
Yes, it had been pleasurable. Lola wanted the heat, she wanted more. Turning she looked at the delicate tea set, she could feel her cheeks heating up.
“I’m sorry, I got ahead of myself.” Erik said leaning back he brought his hand up to her cheek, guiding her face so he could meet her eyes.
“It’s okay, I like you. I just-”
“I understand, I can wait til you want me like I want you.” He said as he moved to sit back down.
“Thank you,” Lola whispered as she moved forward to pick up her teacup and take a sip. More to have something to do than to look at the man across from her. She picked up one of the cookies, studying the small square of purple jam.
“It’s raspberry, I thought you might enjoy it.”
Lola took a bite of the pastry, letting the flavors swirl together as she chewed. It stirred a memory of enjoying the same type of cookie with her mother. Her mother used to bring cookies like these on the weekend after work. She had loved them then. Erik’s shortbread cookies always made her think of her mother.
“It’s good, thank you. Do you have any plans for today?”
“Just working here, I plan to close early. I started a good book and I can’t wait to finish it.” Erik said, and for a while they lost themselves talking about books.
***
The morning passed easily and they enjoyed their tea. Lola left his shop with another envelope tucked into her bag and a payment. As she walked home, thinking about the kiss she had shared with Erik.
If Bodach never kissed her. Woken that soul clenching desire in her. She had a feeling she would have been thrilled over her kiss with the handsome shopkeeper. Before that kiss, Lola could have seen herself falling in love with Erik and how comfortable she felt with him.
Like she could be herself for the first time in her life around another person, with a man whom she liked.
Now she had met the fae men, it was a connection she couldn’t deny. Even if she wanted to.
Unlocking the door to her apartment, she stepped inside. Her shoes and their boots were sat neatly in the small entryway. She could smell the fresh breeze filtering through the room along with hints of the stew that she had made the night before. The arguing voices made her raise an eyebrow as she peeked into the now tidy living room.
“Look, it connects to something.” Lu said.
“Just use the broom.” Bodach groaned. “It’s easier than trying to figure out that thing.”
“You both fight too much, she’ll be here soon.” Merrow’s soft voice chided them.
“You’re just jealous I kissed her first.” Bodach said, and Lola could hear the teasing tone in his voice.
“Aye, I won’t lie. I think we all are.”
Lola blushed at Merrow’s softly spoken confession as she took off her sandals and hung up her bag.
“You lot do know that she can hear you?” Puca said, Lola froze at being caught watching. Puca’s back was turned to her and she could see Lu as he looked towards her. Cheeks reddened, he looked down at the vacuum. Merrow’s eyes met hers and he sent her a wink that made her stomach clenched.
This was the feeling that she had wanted with Erik. The way that her body clenched up in anticipation of what could happen.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
“Lunch is ready, if you’re hungry.”
Lola was hungry, just not for food. Now, she just had to figure out how to make things work with the fae men.
If they wanted her as much as she wanted them?