Page 35 of Capri

10

CAPRI

It soundsinsane saying it out loud, but the idea of another man caring for me scares me more than sex does.

That’s how you develop feelings.

From care and compassion. Compassion that has been absent from my life for quite some time now. Over five years, to be exact.

I can’t even remember the last time I’ve been hugged by someone other than my parents and sister.

Until Jones.

I’ve allowed him inside me, literally, and given him access to the most vulnerable parts of me without thinking twice. I just met him yesterday, for God’s sake.

Yet, something about him tells me I can trust him. That I’m safe with him. Even if it’s only temporary. Even if it’s only sexual.

That’s why I find myself letting him usher me into the shower.

The steam in the small bathroom clouds the tight space, wrapping Jones and I in a pillow of heat. “You okay?” he asks me, closing the door behind us.

“Yeah,” I say, and I’m immediately hit with the smell of lavender. “It smells so tranquil in here.”

“I wasn’t sure what scent you would like.”

I turn to face Jones. “I love lavender. It’s?—”

“I noticed. I wasn’t sure if it was your body wash or lotion, but you were lathered in it at the shop yesterday. It’s all I could smell for the rest of the afternoon.”

Is it wrong of me to be glad my smell consumed him? That he thought of me after?

I notice the crystalized bath salts along the counter; multiple different scents, but only the fragrance of lavender lingers in the air.

I’m not sure what to say. Jones’ attention to detail in such a short time makes me want to put my guard up. To run away and hide in a place I know I get to control the outcome.

I’m putting my heart at risk, yet right now, that’s the least of my concerns. Hesitation can wait until morning.

“I’m gonna undress you, okay?” He waits for my consent.

I nod, and he stands behind me, eerily still, slowly sliding the straps of my sundress down my shoulders.

His touch is featherlight. Soft and careful.

“Your skin is like silk. So delicate.” His breath against my skin causes a wave of goosebumps to spread like wildfire.

I’m already moaning. He could touch me like this all day, and I’d never leave. Wrap me up in his caretaking.

Once he has both straps removed, the bodice of my sundress begins to fall, leaving the cotton fabric pooling at my feet.

“Fuck me, Capri. Look at you.” His raspy tone sends tingles up my spine.

I’m a sponge for some dirty talk. I soak it in. Jones’ admiration of my pink lace panty set might send me over the edge.

His masculine hands caress my skin, diffusing heat and an entirely different sensation from the calluses on his palms.

Jones triggers a sexuality in me I’ve been blinded to. One I never knew existed and I’m eternally grateful to find.

“Jones,” I whimper. My body is on fire.

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