Page 86 of I Blame the Rival

Lacey mulls over my words, “Is there something you’ve been wanting to try?”

I fall silent, wondering how much is too much when talking about sex with a rape victim. There is no doubt in my mind that what her ex-boyfriend did was rape, but that makes it tricky to know what grey areas to avoid.

I want to help her grow but I don’t want to scare her.

She nudges my shoulder, “Come on, Skylar. Share your dirty secrets with me.”

Tearing my gaze from her face, I look down at the duvet covering our intertwined limbs. I can see the outline of Lacey’s leg draped over mine and it looks too perfect to be real.

Before I can begin to doubt myself, I let the truth spill past my lips.

“I want to draw you naked on my bed. After we finish making love and the evidence is everywhere.”

Lacey sucks in a breath and I flick my eyes back to her face, “And then I want to put ink on your body. Connect every freckle I can find and turn you into a living constellation that I can wish on every night.”

She’s staring at me with wide eyes and shame hits me immediately.

“Not that I’m expecting you to pose nude for me. It’s just something I’ve been thinking about.”

“So, your biggest kink is… wanting to draw me?”

I flinch at the pitiful description. I’ve read the romance books Lacey loves so much. I know exactly how short I fall from those standards.

“Yeah.” Embarrassment heats my cheeks and I quickly look away.

“Skylar. Look at me.”

Lacey waits until I meet her eyes before sliding a hand across my chest. The simple touch has my heart beating faster, the pathetic organ desperately trying to break through my rib cage to reach her fingers.

“Your passion for art is one of the things I love most about you. There’s no need to hide it from me.” Her face breaks into a grin, “Besides, it was really hot when you drew on me last time. My skin is yours to use anytime you want.”

I swallow thickly, “You would let me draw on you?”

“Of course. My body can be your personal canvas.”

I kiss her without thinking.

She gasps in surprise and I slip my tongue inside her mouth. I coax a gentle moan from her as she slides her fingers through my hair, tugging me as close as our clothed bodies can go.

My body can be your personal canvas.

The heartbreaking words echo through my mind as I lose myself in her, surrendering to the colour and warmth she’s brought back into my life.

My flower. My lifeline.

Long legs wrap around my waist and soon I’m rolling on top of her. Lacey’s nails scrape down my back as I press into her, savouring the soft whimpers disappearing from her mouth into my own.

“I really want to have sex with you.” Lacey whispers against my lips, her voice breaking right at the end, “But I… I’m not ready. Not yet.”

Pressing one last kiss against her lips, I gently untangle myself from the soft invitation of her body.

“You don’t need to explain yourself, Flower. I will take anything you’re willing to give and nothing more.”

She searches my face, sad eyes looking for expectations that aren’t there.

“I don’t know how long it’s going to take, Skylar.”

My shoulder lifts in a shrug, “Ten months, ten years, it doesn’t matter. I’m not going anywhere.”

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