Page 91 of Anywhere

“I think I know how to explain technology to you,” I said. “I’m going to show you.”

* * *

When we got to the kitchen I pointed to the microwave and pushed the button on the bottom to open the door. The light turned on, and Elewyen took a step forward and looked inside.

“This is called a microwave. It warms up cold food.”

She stared at me with wide eyes as I put a plate in, entered the time I wanted, then pressed start. The plate inside spun around, and she took a step back like it was going to jump off the counter and attack her.

“Trust me, it’s safe. It won’t hurt you,” I said, giving her a reassuring smile.

Once it beeped, I pulled out the plate and sat the steaming food onto the counter. Elewyen walked over, then poked at the food. She yelped and put her finger in her mouth, which, of course, derailed my brain as I watched her suck it clean.

I had to clear my throat before I could speak again. “See? Now the food is hot.” I made my way over to the fridge and opened it, pulling out a jug of water and sat it down on the counter. “Touch that.”

She looked at me and tentatively poked at the glass. “It be cold.”

“Yes, that is called a fridge. It helps food from rotting by keeping it cold.”

I’d never seen someone’s eyes light up so much over the prospect of a refrigerator.

“Ya mus’ show me more.” She gripped my arm with excitement. A blush stole over her cheeks, and she pulled her hands away as the little current that had been constant since she entered my room rippled and made us gasp.

“I like it when you touch me,” I said, but stepped away and decided to keep her enthusiasm up by going to the next item in the kitchen… the stove.

Dinner had never taken so long to get eaten, and I’d never had so much fun eating. Watching Elewyen’s excitement over each new discovery was priceless. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her as she leaned against the counter and finished eating some berries and cream for dessert. I managed to keep my distance, but the little droplet of cream at the corner of her mouth summoned me. Elewyen stilled as I stepped in close to her and placed a hand on either side of her on the counter. Her eyes darted from side to side like she was looking for an escape.

“I promised you that we are not going to hurt you or kill you. Do you not believe me?” I asked.

She swallowed audibly.

Taking my chance, I leaned in and placed my lips over the cream. The air immediately changed with the contact and made me groan as it caressed my body. The droplet was sweet on my tongue, but the light contact made me want a whole lot more. I wanted to pull up the black skirt and sit her on the counter to devour what she could offer me instead.

“I dinnie know what ta believe anymore,” she whispered.

I knew how that felt. It was only days ago that I had the same feeling when I arrived and met Rhys. I was so adamant that I wasn’t going to have anything to do with him or a triad. Elewyen’s hands went to my waist, and I thought she was going to push me away, but she just left them there.

“You can touch me,” I whispered, staring into her spring-green depths.

When she just stared at me with those wide, unsure eyes of hers, I leaned back, gripped my T-shirt, and pulled it off over my head. Dropping it to the floor, I watched her expression carefully and wasn’t disappointed as the energy around her changed. Desire burned in not only her eyes but the flush of her cheeks. As light as a feather, I trailed my fingers down her arms until I reached her hands and picked them up to place on my chest.

“I want you to touch me.”

She shivered as her fingers splayed over my pecs. “I dinnie know what ta do,” she said quietly.

I cupped her face, and she flicked her gaze up to mine. “I’m going to kiss you for real now. Touch me wherever you want. My body is yours.”

I waited to see if she was going to stop me. Unable to hold myself back any longer, I licked across her lips, tasting the remnants of the strawberries as I asked for access. It took a minute, but she slowly opened her mouth. I groaned and held her tighter as I tasted her mouth for the first time.

She was tentative, but the power that had been so restrained began to swirl faster, like it had with Rhys. From one breath to the next, it began pulling us tighter together. Elewyen moaned into my mouth, and her hands began to move on my chest, then around to my back. It was as if she was igniting a fire everywhere her fingers trailed.

“Aw, come on. Ya got rooms, go ta one. I dinnie need ta see dis in me kitchen,” Belle said, her voice grating.

I wanted to turn around and throw something at her as Elewyen jumped like she’d just been electrocuted and tried to pull away. I kept her firmly trapped against the counter, not wanting this moment to end.

I glared over my shoulder at my annoying cousin that I barely saw, but she picks now to show up. Fucking ironic.

Belle glared back at me and pointed to the large amounts of food still on the table. “I’ma wantin’ me supper.”