Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Selena
The sway of my body woke me.
Opening my eyes, I noticed I was no longer in the café. Xylo had returned me to our suite. My head rested on Xylo’s chest as he cradled me against his body, both arms and vines supporting me in incredible comfort.
I sighed and rubbed my cheek against his chest, breathing in his scent. He smelled like the green tea he’d given me last night—a sweet herbal scent.
“You are awake.”
“I’m sorry I fell asleep. You should’ve woken me instead of carrying me all the way here.” I nuzzled his chest in apology.
“You had a long day, and your body needs all the rest it can get. It was not a problem. You are not heavy, and I liked being able to do this for you.”
He carried me to the L-shaped couch and laid me down gently, untangling his vines, then wrapping them around his torso.
“Why do you do that?”
“Do what?” Xylo asked, looking confused.
“Wrap your vines around your torso. Everyone keeps their tentacles or vines wrapped tightly—I’ve been wondering why.”
He looked down at his vines before meeting my eyes again.
“Habit, mostly. It is both instinct and considerate. We are taught as younglings how to shield—that they are an added layer of protection for our important organs. And it enables us to move freely in confined spaces without becoming entangled with one another. Even out in the open, they can interfere with quick movement.”
“You don’t have to keep them wrapped when we’re alone if you don’t want.”
He simply smiled.
I sat up and reached for one of his vines, tugging it free from his torso. I cupped it between my hands, trying to gauge his reaction.
He shivered and swallowed audibly.
The cool vine slid in a gentle dance through my hands, its movement tickling my palms. The flowered tip pressed gentle kisses to each of my fingertips, tiny suctioning kisses.
I remembered how incredible they had felt on my body last night when we’d bonded.
I traced my fingers along the vine edge and felt it vibrate.
“Is this all right?” I asked, looking up at his face.
His eyes focused on my hands as though he were in a trance. He didn’t seem to hear me. A mischievous impulse made me pull his vine to my mouth, wondering if he tasted as good as he smelled, and whether a kiss would snap him out of his daze.
I focused on his eyes as I traced my tongue along the petal edge of the flowered tip of his vine.
His body jerked.
Smiling inwardly with delight, I wondered how far I could push him. I slid the entire tip into my mouth, tongue caressing the center of the flower, and sucked lightly.
He tasted even better than the drink he’d given me last night.
His eyes rolled back in his head, and his knees buckled as he collapsed.
I gasped and dove to catch him, managing to direct his fall onto the couch. His head landed on the cushion.
“Xylo! Are you okay? Xylo?”
For a moment, there was no reply, then he stiffened with a grunt and struggled to a kneeling position.
My eyes filled with tears. I hadn’t meant to hurt him with my playful tease. Climbing off the couch, I knelt beside him and placed my hand on his mossy shoulder.
“Xylo, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you!”
He flinched as I squeezed his shoulder.
I jerked back and stood, blindly feeling my way to the bathroom as the tears overflowed. A hiccupping sob escaped me as I tried to dash the tears away. I collapsed on the edge of the tub, trailing my fingers in the water and cried.
How could I have been so stupid? We were only just getting to know one another... I should’ve asked first, but I hadn’t meant to hurt him... and now, he wouldn’t even talk to me... flinched away from my touch.
I hiccupped again, then peered at the tub, noticing the soothing comfort of the water for the first time.
I shucked my clothes, dropping them in a heap on the floor, and slid into the bath.
It felt divine, and my sobs slowly eased as I let the water cradle me in its warmth.
I curled up next to the waterfall on a ledge I found beneath the water, and leaned toward the spray, allowing the falling water to wash the remaining tears from my eyes.
I was afraid to reach out to him—fearful I messed something up between us when he was the only person who truly cared for me.
Perhaps I was taking everything too fast. I was overwhelmed by the enormity of what I might have lost, angry at myself for not thinking before I acted, not taking the time to ask him if it was okay.
My breathing quickened as I struggled not to begin crying again.
A large splash and two strong arms wrapped around me, startling me. They pulled me into a hard chest, one hand stroking my hair as the other slid around my waist.
“Shhh, Selena! It is okay. Everything is fine,” Xylo whispered into my hair as my sobs returned anew at his tenderness.
“What do you mean? How can it be? I hurt you!” I wailed against his chest.
Xylo sat down on the ledge and pulled me onto his lap, nestling me into the secure seat formed by his waist petals. His vines wrapped around my legs, securing me closer to him.
I closed my eyes, embarrassed and upset, and struggled to get my emotions under control.
He ran his fingers through my hair. “What do you mean you hurt me?”
“You collapsed! You wouldn’t answer me, and you flinched away from me.”
His body shook with laughter, vibrating through me, and I stared at him in surprise and a little hurt.
“You mistake the situation, Selena. Our vines are extremely sensitive. They do not only produce venom—they also taste by touch and can absorb any fluid. When you slid my vine inside your mouth, the warmth and taste overwhelmed my senses. I passed out from pleasure, not because you hurt me.”
“But why’d you flinch when I touched you?”
His laughter ceased.
“I was trying to muster every bit of discipline I possess to keep my vines from having their way with you. When you touched me, it nearly destroyed my concentration. I was almost unable to prevent them from seeking out and entering every one of your holes to gorge on your taste.”
I pulled my head back in shock and wiped my eyes to better see his serious teal ones.
“Is that the truth?”
“Of course. I will never lie to you. You do not understand how addictive you are. Your mind puts mine at ease... but your scent drives me crazy. And your taste is something I wish I could live off—I would sample you all day if I could. Other nestqueens only produce an alluring scent and taste at the time of their heat-year. You are clearly pregnant, so your continued allure caught me off guard.”
“So, the allure should be gone while I’m pregnant?”
He nodded.
“But if it’s this strong now, what will it be like when I’m no longer pregnant?”
A wicked grin flashed briefly across his face. “I may never let you leave the nestbed—which means I may need some help to provide for all your needs.”
I was both surprised and pleased by his daring though my face burned at his insinuation. To my surprise, Odelm slid into my mind.
I blinked.
Xylo’s arms tightened around me.
“I am doing a poor job of comforting you. How about I help you wash?”
“I’d love that.” I eyed the soap in the baskets along the bathtub’s edge. “Pick a scent you like since your sense of smell is better than mine.”
He unwound his vines and lowered my body to the ledge next to him. I watched him reach over to pick up the basket of soaps, taking the time to smell each one. He nodded and chose a lightly floral, pink-swirled soap, then replaced the basket.
I turned my back to him and pushed my hair behind my shoulders. Water fell onto my head, and I tilted my head up and back. Hands massaged the top of my head, stroking along my scalp, fingers kneading, rubbing the soap into my hair. I moaned at the incredible sensation.
His hands felt amazing, and I didn’t want him to stop.
The exquisite care and focus with which he bathed me—taking the time to lather and rinse every millimeter of skin—warmed my heart. My instincts had been right about him having a gentle soul. I would cherish moments like this—and strive never to take him for granted.
He worked his way methodically down my neck and shoulders, and I collapsed against his chest. I took advantage of his concentration on his task to trace the elegant planes of his face. He really was beautiful, and only grew more so with each passing day.
He glanced up and met my eyes. “Tell me if something does not feel good or you need something a different way. I am not as familiar with human musculature. I have only just begun to study your species.”
His hands found a knot on my right shoulder and kneaded. My eyes rolled up in pleasure, and I let out a long groan.
He paused, looking at me with concern.
“No, don’t stop! It feels incredible.”
Xylo’s focus was single-minded as he worked his way down my body.
When he finished, I felt both clean and boneless.
He lowered me carefully into the water to rinse off the soap, then carried me out of the bathtub, sitting me on the tub’s edge.
My gaze was glued to his strong body, watching the play of his muscles as he pulled a pair of black towels from one of the cabinets.
He placed one beside me, using the other to carefully dry me.
When he’d finished, he scooped me into his arms again and carried me to our nestbed, laying me in the center. He smiled as he tucked the silver blanket around me.
“I will be right back.”
I eyed his muscular butt as he returned to the bathroom.
I was ashamed of my earlier overreaction. I should’ve remained, made sure he was okay, waited for him to speak to me. The way he treated me like the most precious thing in the world made my insides flutter. I smiled in remembrance—he’d made me feel cherished and cared for.
I pulled a lock of hair across my nose and sniffed. Wildflowers, light, slightly sweet, and floral—like the flowers in the terrarium.