Page 9 of In Love With the Leshy

I close my eyes. “You’re not real. You’re not real.”

I jump at the gentle touch sliding across the back of my neck. Whatever it is, it feels feather-like.

“You don’t want me to be real.” He whispers. The vibration of his words rattles through my chest. “Why not?” More proof he exists in my head.

I spin around to face the stunning creature in front of me. Now that I have a close-up view, it’s obvious he is definitely not a man. Not a human man. He’s one hundred percent male, though. I just don’t know what kind of male.

The blue/green tint to his skin has a vibrant sheen, which, paired with his unusual diamond shaped orbs, gives him an otherworldly appearance. For a moment, I lose myself in the glow of those emerald eyes. So much so that I don’t notice his hand extending toward me until it’s on my cheek. I tilt my face toward his palm, allowing him to caress it. I’m surprised by the cool, smooth feel of his skin against mine. I hold my breath as he rubs his thumb back and forth, surprised at how deep beneath the skin I feel his touch. I shouldn’t feel anything; after all, he’s a product of my imagination.

My heart beats in my ears as his touch travels like electricity through my body. I take a deep breath, relaxing into him. How can something so big and strong be so gentle?

The realization that I’m allowing a strange man, or creature, to touch me hits me like a table to the face. Without thinking, I gasp and swat his hand away while forcing myself back, not stopping until I hit a tree trunk. My chest heaves as I catch my erratic breath and steady myself. His weary eyes sear into me as he takes a step back of his own.

“I’m sorry,” I say, because even if he is some late-day dream, I don’t want to upset him and watch him vanish before my eyes. He’s a good distraction from the terrifying prospect of being alone when the sun disappears completely and I’m left hopeless in the dark.

“I meant no harm.” He sounds apologetic.

“I know,” I whine. “If you are real, this is happening way too fast.”

“That’s not your reason for denial.”

“If I believe you’re real, then I have to accept all the other crazy things here.” My stomach twists in knots, and I’m losing control of my emotions as the stress of the day catches up with me. “I have to believe that trees can be offensive. That snakes can coordinate an attack. And that the man who is the cause of it all and wants to kill me disappeared into thin air.”

“Is that everything that happened?”

“No.” I hesitate at the odd question, unsure if I want to say the rest out loud. That must be the reason my subconscious brought this creature to life, to work out the trauma of the day. Maybe if I admit it, he’ll disappear and I’ll be snapped back to reality. “The jerk threw me to the ground.” I look down at my shirt for the first time. “Oh my God!” I spin around, giving him my back.

Nikolai tore it! Not quite in half, but low enough that my bra is fully exposed. I feel my cheeks flame with embarrassment, and a large chunk of my bravado is stripped from me. I pull my arms out of my sleeves and turn the shirt around so that I’m wearing it backward and can give myself a chance to regain a smidgeon of modesty.

His big hands grip my shoulders and turn me to face him. I meet the strange creature’s eyes again and sniffle, putting on a brave face and hoping to keep my tears from falling.

Annoyed that the corners of his lips curl in a smile, I tear into him. “You think this is funny?! He tried to rape me.” I look off to the side and hug my arms around myself. Saying the words out loud allows the realization of what happened to settle deep in my bones.

“No. I smiled at what you did to your shirt. I like it.” He pauses. “You need to stay away from that one. He’s not a good man.” The tone of his voice holds a tinge of danger, and I’m not sure if he’s issuing a threat or a warning.

“You could say that again,” I snigger.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.” The creature’s brows furrow together, but he wears a soft, troubled look. “I’m sorry you had such a bad experience in my home. I wish it to be welcoming for people like you.”

“People like me? What’s that supposed to mean? People that live in the real world?”

“People who respect the creatures that live here.”

I look at him, thinking he’s crazier than me. Which makes perfect sense since he’s been fermented by my imagination. I keep forgetting that and acting like he’s real. He can’t be. He doesn’t resemble any creature I’ve ever seen or heard of before.

“Wasn’t there anything you enjoyed while being here? A moment when you weren’t frightened?”

He inches closer again. I tilt my head back to look up at him, gaining an appreciation of his massive size. His muscular arms, bulging with muscle, extend on either side of me. My heart skids to a stop with the thought that he’s going to wrap them around me and pull me against his broad chest. I could really use a hug. It’s been too long since anyone held and comforted me. Months? Years?

The thought that this strange man might be the only thing capable of showing me compassion scares and intrigues me. Is this all there is for me, a non-human, non-real companion?

My thumping heart doesn’t do me any good. It confuses me because it wants him to be real as much as my mind does. I want tree-man to hold me. At the same time, I’m afraid, no, terrified, of the reaction I have to his foreign touch.

I worry for no reason. He stops short of touching me and instead leans his hands against the bark of the tree behind me. Caging me in. I breathe heavily in anticipation. The air around me is thick, and it’s hard to breathe.

“If I wasn’t such a head case, this, right now, would be the best moment I’ve had here. Maybe even the best of my life.” I look at the ground.

“You’re not a head case. I’m glad you like talking to me. I want you to have some good memories to hold onto here. I want you to like it. For this to be your Heaven on earth.”

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