Page 83 of Beauty and the Beard

Easing himself off my cock, I watch a trail of cum run down the inside of his thigh. He follows my gaze and laughs softly.

“So, about that shower?”

“Is there room for two?”

“It’s the best thing about this apartment. There’s room for at least three.”

He winks and offers his hand when I scowl.

Placing a kiss on my chest, he peers up at me.

“Don’t worry. That’s something I’m not wired to do. One-on-one is all I can handle.”

He pulls me with him towards the bathroom.

“Unless toys count as a third? I’d do that.”

Barking a laugh, I shake my head. From shy and unsure to blazing full of confidence and offering sex toys, so much has changed since we first met.

And something tells me my life from now on will never be dull.

Chapter 24

Sasha

“Four days isn’t long enough. I miss you already.”

Leaf and I stroll hand in hand through Tulip Park near my apartment. It’s been three and a half days of self-discovery and opening ourselves to each other like I’ve never done before.

And sex. So. Much. Sex.

Which most people would expect with a new couple. As someone with an issue of being used purely for my looks and body, I never trust people’s intentions. This has been a massive shift for me. It doesn’t come easy. But with Leaf, he makes me feel safe. No matter what he says and does, I know he respects every part of me.

It’s not perfect. There are still a lot of mountains for me to climb yet in order to address all my past issues, but the important part is I know he truly supports me.

“I know. I can’t wait until you get things sorted and come to me. I’ll make time to get here again if it will be too long.” His voice is laced with sadness but also excitement for the future. “We haven’t talked about the logistics much either.”

“You said you slow down at the end of October, right? Then it’s quiet for the winter?”

He nods and stops in the middle of the park path. Snaking an arm around my waist, he pulls me close and kisses me. Deep and slow and it makes me dizzy. Like I spent too much time in the darkroom and my legs wobble. Leaf holds me tighter.

“What was that for?” I breathe.

“What I hope to do through the winter.”

“Oh.”

If the promise of Leaf kissing me like that all the time doesn’t scramble my brain, I don’t know what will. That’s a definite incentive to get all my ducks in a row and get there for the winter. Or sooner.

“I like it when I can render you speechless.”

Leaf laughs and I peer up at his smiling face. The sun picks up a bit of red in his beard. The laugh lines at the edge of his eyes deepen as he smiles at me, and for a moment I wonder how we even got here. Two broken people with so many fractures… there was a time that I felt beyond repair.

He’s achingly handsome and I can’t wait for us to start a life together. Even while teasing me when he knows I’m a full on chatterbox, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

“Don’t get so cocky. I’m not opposed to your plans. At all.” I kiss him quickly and step out of his arms. “I just thought there might be something else you do in your downtime. Like… I don’t know, pose for lumberjack calendars or bake cookies. Save kittens from trees.” I wave my hand in the air. “You know, stuff.”

With a snort, he takes my hand as we leave the park on the way to my favourite Thai restaurant. I’ll definitely miss that place once I leave. Their spring rolls are to die for.

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