Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
IONA
Age nineteen
It’s a dreich spring day and the rain is relentless. By the time Charlotte, Erin, and I make it back to the halls of residence, our shoes are squelching. We head up to our rooms to change into something dry. Entering mine, I find Lewis lounging on my bed in a grey T-shirt and blue boxer briefs, a book in his hand. He sets it aside and flashes me that cheeky grin of his. God, he’s gorgeous. His chestnut hair is just how I like it—neatly trimmed on the sides and deliciously tousled on top—and those dimples? Irresistible.
He got here yesterday. It’s been nearly half a year since the “courtship display”, and since then he’s visited me at least once a month.
“Make yourself at home, why don’t you?” Hanging up my coat, I nod at his underwear, which is somewhat distracting—it’s a snug fit, if you know what I mean.
“Aye, well, my jeans got wet. Besides, I hate lying down in denim: it’s too stiff and annoying. These boxers, though?” He places his hands on his thighs and lets out a contented sigh. “They’re so comfortable. Here, come feel how soft they are.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Wow, so subtle, Lewis. I’m literally just back, and already you want me to put my hand near your penis? You’re not wasting any time.”
He winks then stretches his arms up behind his head, flexing. The night of his first visit, I had a lot of fun with his glow-in-the-dark dick. Our giggles and whispered jokes gave way to low moans from Lewis until... well, you know. Afterwards, we stuck a light on and I explored his body properly and let him explore me. Since then, whenever he’s come down, we’ve ended up naked together.
We’ve not admitted to people back home what we’ve been getting up to, nor have we put a label on this thing between us. It’s complicated, especially as we live so far apart and don’t get to catch up often, but it’s exclusive—neither of us is seeing anyone else.
“All right, you caught me out, but these boxers are really comfortable.” He studies me, his playful expression turning more serious. “Crap, you’re soaked through, Iona. We can’t have you catching a cold. I swear I’ve no ulterior motives here, but for health reasons, I think you should strip. I can help you out of your clothes, if you like?”
“God, Lewis! You’re so randy. Have you been lying here all day having dirty thoughts while I’ve been out at classes?”
“Pretty much.” Smirking, he runs a hand through his hair, messing it up even more. “But I’ve got you to blame for that.”
“Oh? Am I so attractive that, even when you’re not in my presence, you can’t stop thinking about me?”
He considers this then nods. “Aye, you’re fucking gorgeous, but that’s not what I meant. I was out exploring Glasgow earlier but got completely drenched, so I came back. I got a bit bored, so I had a wee rummage around, and... I found your secret stash of naughty books.”
My cheeks warm. “Wait, what?”
He lifts the book he’s been reading: Rival Clans, Secret Riches from Aurora McKenna’s Highland Hearts and Hidden Treasures series.
Oh my God. Lewis and I have always told each other more or less everything, but my love of spicy historical romances is something I’ve kept to myself. Mortified, I wait for him to give me stick for enjoying “trash”, but instead he says, “It’s so good! I’m almost done. I really hope they find the treasure in the end. After all they’ve been through, they deserve it—Eilidh, especially. I’m rooting for her.”
“Wait, you’re properly reading it? Not just skimming through it for the naughty bits?”
“Aye, although I am paying extra attention to those scenes.” He shrugs shamelessly.
I perch down on the bed, my embarrassment giving way to interest. “Did they... turn you on?” I trace patterns on his bare leg, his soft hairs tickling my fingers.
“Of course. I mean, that scene in the great hall, where it was just Douglas and Eilidh, and Douglas said he wanted a feast? Except he wasn’t talking about food but...” Lewis’s gaze drifts downwards and settles on my lap. “Let’s just say I made a few mental notes. There are some things I’m keen to try out.”
A wave of heat floods my body. Since he explored me that first night, Lewis’s tentative touches have grown in confidence. He approaches my pleasure with curiosity and fascination, eager to experiment. He’s not at all embarrassed about asking questions or seeking feedback—all that matters to him is finding out what I like. Just knowing he’s been reading one of my books and drawing inspiration from it is incredibly hot.
“But,” Lewis goes on, “some of the words the author uses—ha! His staff ? Her hidden garden ? Once it was claymore and scabbard —I chuckled at that. Another time, he pushed his dick into her feminine folds .”
That’s the one thing Lewis hasn’t done yet. We’ve tried pretty much everything, save for actual sex.
“I doubt he pushed his ‘dick’ in,” I say. “More likely it was his love lance or something.”
Lewis throws his head back and laughs. “Ha! I’ve not come across love lance—I’d have remembered that. Anyway...” He cocks his head to the side. “Are you going to stay in those wet clothes, or...?”
“Hmm. Well, I suppose this top is pretty damp.” I pull it off and throw it aside. “That’s better.”
His gaze, predictably, drops to my cleavage. You’d think it was his first time seeing me in just a bra, but no. He’s seen every inch of me, and yet whenever I take off a piece of clothing, this daft look crosses his face and he completely forgets where my eyes are. He’s such a boy, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t flattered by the attention.
“So...” I bite my lip, unsure how he’ll react to what I’m about to suggest. “What would you think about... acting out one of the scenes from the book?”
He sits up straighter. “I’d be up for that.”
“Really?”
He nods. “I’m pretty sure I can channel my inner Highland warrior. How about the scene where she’s tending to his wounds by the campfire and then... well...”
“Isn’t that the one where they have sex for the first time?” I’d been thinking more along the lines of the great hall scene.
A mischievous smile tugs at Lewis’s lips. He’s suggested we go all the way a few times now, but I’ve wanted to take thing slow. It seems this is his latest attempt to test the waters.
“Well . . .” I consider his suggestion. “Okay.”
“What?” Surprise flickers across his face. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope.”
“Let’s be clear here. Are you saying I can put my cock inside your... feminine folds?”
“Not if you use that word. Aurora McKenna can get away with it because her stories are set centuries ago. It sounds bloody weird coming out of your mouth.”
He grins. “All right, fine. Your pussy.”
“That’s better. And yes, we can have sex. I’m ready.”
There’s a stirring in Lewis’s underwear—the idea obviously excites him—but he asks, “Is this a trick?”
“Nope. And you don’t even have to wear a glow-in-the-dark condom. A regular one will do.”
He chuckles and rubs the back of his neck, glancing away for a moment before meeting my gaze again. “Are you sure about this?”
“Are you honestly trying to talk me out of it?”
“No, I’m desperate to have sex with you, but I’m also your friend, and I want what’s best for you. You only get to lose your virginity once, Iona, and you pick today? It’s pissing down outside. I’m hanging around your room in my boxers. It’s a single bed. If we’re going to do it, shouldn’t we at least, you know, dress up first? Go out for dinner? I might be able to cobble together some cash for a hotel room so we can have a double bed. I mean—”
I hold up a hand, cutting him off mid-sentence.
“Sometimes, Lewis, you’re just a horny young man with sex on the brain.”
His expression falls. “Oh.”
“But other times you can be so... sweet.”
He pulls a face. “Nah, I prefer the first description. Being sweet is lame.”
I give him a playful shove. “I’m being serious. A lot of people spend their lives looking for someone who really gets them, but I literally grew up opposite you. How lucky is that? You’re my best friend, Lewis, and I can’t imagine having sex with anyone else. I want to do it with you. Going out for a fancy dinner isn’t very us—we don’t have the money for it—but doing it here, in this wee room, on a single bed after you’ve been reading one of my smutty books? That feels right somehow. So...”
Impersonating Eilidh, the feisty daughter of the neighbouring clan’s chieftain, I say, “You’re hurt, Douglas. Let me tend to your wounds.” I take a hold of Lewis’s T-shirt and gently tug it over his head.
He clears his throat then lowers his voice. “These injuries torment me, lass. Your gentle touch is the only thing that can soothe my suffering.”
I scoot closer to him and trail my fingers over his chest. Lewis must mistake this for an invitation because he reaches for my bra and I have to swat his hand away.
“Oi! Did Douglas do that at this point in the scene?”
“Shit, no, you’re right. Sorry. I... got carried away. That comes later.”
“It does. Now, where were we?” I find Eilidh’s voice again. “Ah, yes. Your wounds, Douglas...”