Page 124 of The Seducer
I stroked his chin without commenting on the moistness in his eyes.
“Do you think my mom was like Raven’s mom and didn’t show me enough love?” he asked.
“No, Nero, I think your mom showered you with an abundance of love, and that’s why you feel deprived without it.”
“I would like to believe that you’re right,” Nero said, his anger gone. “It’s a nice thought that my mom once loved me.”
“Of course she loved you. She still does and that willneverchange.”
Nero didn’t move out of my arms, he just stood there allowing me to gently stroke his back. “Now you’re pampering me too,” he said and almost smiled.
“Everybody needs to be hugged now and then. Nothing wrong with that.”
“Feels funny to be hugged by a woman, though,” he said.
I took his hands and looked into his eyes. “This is my promise to you, Nero. Whenever Finn and I visit the school, I’ll hug you long and hard.”
He smiled a little. “You don’t have to.”
“I know, but I want to so prepare to receive some fierce hugs.”
Nero was smiling. “You’re a strange lady.”
“I prefer quirky,” I said and smiled back at him. “Are you ready to face the world?”
He didn’t answer in words but pulled back and nodded.
“And are you clever enough to see that the reason Raven annoys you has little to do with her, and everything to do with you?”
He frowned. “I hear what you’re saying but it doesn’t change anything. She still gets on my nerves.”
“Only because it provokes you to see how easy it is for her to seek out hugs and comfort. No wonder it’s twisting your heart to see her get what feels out of reach for you.”
“I don’t want to be cuddled or pampered like her,” he protested.
“You might not need it as much as Raven does, but don’t try to convince yourself that you don’t need it at all. It would be a classic defense mechanism, but Nero…” I gave him a concerned smile. “Youdoneed it. We all do!”
Again, I hugged him and whispered into his ear.
“When I’m gone, will you get a hug from someone if you need it?” I asked. “Would you ask Christina or Kya for a hug?”
He stiffened. “That’s a definite no! Archer wouldn’t like it if we boys started hugging his wife and Boulder…” Nero shook his head. “I’m not stupid. That guy would never let us boys touch his pregnant wife.”
“Then how about asking one of the men for a hug then?”
Nero leaned back and wrinkled his nose. “It’s clear that you don’t know our culture.”
“You’re right, I don’t. But at least will you stop resisting the massage and the love circles?”
“But it’s stupid.”
I tugged a strand of his long hair behind his ear. “When we came in to this kitchen you were furious, remember? It was the healing power of a hug and a bit of conversation that made you smile again. You Nmen might be better than us at many things, Nero, but one thing that Motlanders are good at is human connection, and you need to tap into that.”
“That’s easier said than done,” Nero remarked.
“You can start by treating others with kindness, even when they annoy you. And Raven will be the perfect trainer for you.”
A knock on the door made Nero take another step away from me.
