Chapter 4 #2
He took a second before he replied, “Touching others is difficult for me. I can do it for short periods, such as during a medical examination. However, the thought of being naked, touching someone for extended periods, let alone sleeping in the same bed repeatedly, makes my skin itch. I tried to endure it once for my dragon. But as soon as the female tried to touch me, I ended up running away, completely naked, through the halls of the clan, and the rumors spread. Soon, everyone inside Snowridge—my former clan—knew what had happened, and it became a joke. I had been a recluse before that incident, but afterward, I rarely ventured out at all. And then…”
Grace tried to wrap her head around everything Trahern had shared. It took everything she had not to point out he was cuddling her son for an extended period and instead focused on what he’d just said. “And what? Clearly, something else happened.”
He rocked, back and forth, for nearly a minute before he finally replied, “My father always had a difficult time with me. My mother died giving birth to me, and my father blamed me for it. Then, when it became apparent that I was…different, he mocked me. And by the time of the botched sexual encounter, he disowned me and left the clan. I don’t know what happened to him, and yet, despite how everyone thought I should feel bad, I was relieved.
I could focus solely on my studies and didn’t have to attempt being a dutiful son to a male who wished I’d never been born. ”
And just like that, she started to understand Trahern Lewis a little better.
Trahern continued rocking Eli, even though the baby had fallen asleep, and refused to look up into Grace’s eyes.
There would be pity or disgust or some sort of negative emotion he couldn’t distinguish, anyway.
Although why he’d told her so much, he didn’t know.
His dragon spoke up. She is different.
For the first time in a long time, he actually replied to his beast, Why?
You are drawn to her. You’ll figure it out soon enough.
I don’t like vague statements.
His beast fell silent and went back to sleep. So he continued rocking, hoping Grace would leave so he could put Eli back into his bed and find someone to repair the washing machine.
However, Grace remained in the room. After she placed Eddie back into his bassinet, she asked, “What do you do for fun, Trahern?”
Frowning, he glanced up for a second. “What?”
She shrugged. “You know, when you’re not working or sleeping, what do you do?”
“I read.”
“Somehow I don’t think it’s a cozy mystery with an amateur detective and their trusty cat or dog, is it?”
“Of course not. Recently, I’ve read some books on theoretical physics to distance myself from work.”
Grace smiled for a second, just one, and then turned away from him.
And for some strange reason, he wanted her to turn back around and smile again.
Grace spoke, garnering his attention. “In a few weeks, once I’ve healed a little more, maybe we can take the boys to the nearby lake for a picnic.”
Her words about healing sent a rush of panic through him. After placing Eli into his bed, Trahern asked, “Are you well? Do I need to fetch my doctor bag?”
She glanced at him. “I’m not about to run any marathons, but I’m fine. Well, except…”
“Except what? You must tell me plainly, Grace. I’m not good at deciphering vague statements.”
Looking down at Eddie, she traced his cheek. “Feeding twins has made me sore.” She paused before adding, “My nipples are sore. Do you have anything for that?”
Nipples on a female who’d recently given birth were there to provide sustenance for the baby. And yet, Trahern briefly wondered what Grace looked like without her shirt.
Then he pushed aside images of her breasts and cleared his throat. Being around a female so much was addling his brain and probably triggering some dragon instinct to have intercourse and procreate.
Since trying to act on any of those impulses would only embarrass him and make Grace extremely uncomfortable—he’d promised to leave her alone—Trahern moved to the door. “There’s something at the clinic. I’ll fetch it for you. I’ll also get someone to repair the washing machine as soon as possible.”
Grace opened her mouth to say something, but Trahern rushed down the hall and out the door.
Although the farther away he got, the more he felt as if he should turn around and go back to Grace.
The unfamiliar feeling scared him, and he debated what to do.
Because the only solution he could come up with was to avoid talking with Grace beyond what was necessary.
Normally, that was easy for him. And yet, he’d shared more with her today than he had with anyone else.
Not even his only friend, Emily, knew as much.
His dragon spoke up. Don’t hide from Grace.
But Trahern was used to ignoring his dragon, and so he didn’t respond.
Instead, he focused on finding everything Grace needed to feel more comfortable as a new mother.
Then he had one of the young nurses run it over before he sat down and made a new schedule for himself.
He needed structured time to help Grace—structured but limited time.
And his task took the entire night, helping him forget about his brief flicker of desire for the first time in his life.