Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
CRYSTAL LESSON
CARSON
Yesterday was progress. Today I’m going to make it count.
While I may be going to her store under the guise of learning about crystals, the main goal is to learn more about her. Since she didn’t tell me I couldn’t come for a lesson, I’m going to show up.
Not that there was really much time for her to tell me no, since I walked out of the store.
It’ll be okay. If she seems uncomfortable, I’ll leave her alone forever.
My heart races as I enter the store, my eyes darting around as I search for her. Behind the counter is her brother, who gives me a smile and waves one hand briefly.
“How’s it going today?” he calls out rather loudly, causing the few customers browsing to turn in my direction.
I head over to the counter. “Good, how about yourself?”
“Likewise. Getting used to my new responsibilities.” He nods, looking over his shoulder toward a door.
As he turns his head back to me, the door flies open, and Orie exits with a near-frantic expression. Her eyes are wide and eyebrows raised, her tail doing that thing it always does, moving hypnotizingly behind her.
Her navy hair is pulled up into the same style it’s been every time I see her—two buns on top of her head. She seems to glow as always, her skin so smooth that the sunlight reflects off it through the windows.
“I’m here for my lesson,” I tell her exuberantly, grinning.
She pulls her bottom lip in with her teeth for a second before letting it go with a sigh, drawing my attention to how luscious and kissable they look. “Fine…but not here.”
There’s too much excitement building inside me at the idea of going somewhere with her. Anywhere that’s not her workplace is much closer to a date than, well, not a date.
“Where to?” I ask, watching as she resumes moving.
As she passes me, heading toward the door, my nose is filled with the smell of lavender. I inhale deeply as I follow her, letting the scent and the sway of her hips guide me out of the store in a trance.
Once we’re outside, I catch up and walk alongside her. “So, where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” She glances over at me through the corner of her eyes, her long lashes hiding parts of her sparkling eyes.
I nod, simply agreeing. “Okay.”
Her footsteps slow to a stop, and I only make it a few steps ahead of her before I stop as well, facing her. She has her hands on her hips, eyebrows furrowed, and eyes glued to me.
“You’re just going to trust me blindly?” One of her brows raises.
With a shrug, all I can do is smile. “Yes, because I trust you—you got me out of the woods. You showed up to my art show. You’ve only been kind.”
It’s all true, though I leave out the underlying reasons for trusting her. The undeniable draw I feel to her is something I need to indulge in—time with her is something I need to indulge in.
She looks away, her tail whipping behind her as she scans our surroundings. Eventually, her eyes find mine again, something new in them, something that piques my excitement.
“Do you trust me enough to shadow travel with me?” A rare smile graces her face, small and subtle, but there, nonetheless.
There’s only one logical answer to her question. “Absolutely.”
The airy laugh that leaves her is almost surprising, not matching her usual hardened exterior. It’s a beautiful sound, one that makes me want to grab my paintbrush and just let it glide over a blank canvas.
Any sound she makes, any glance she gives me, just every little thing about her inspires me. I can only imagine the creativity that would flow through me at the mere brush of her skin, let alone more.
“Follow me, then.” She leads me off the sidewalk until we stand under the shade of a tree.
Once we’re both entirely covered by the shadow, she eyes me up and down. Her eyes lock with mine, and slowly, she snakes a hand around my waist. The sensation of her fingertips through my cotton t-shirt sends a buzz throughout my entire body.
There’s a reddish hue to her cheeks, one that would probably go unnoticed if it weren’t for how close we are. That, accompanied with the way her tail whips around, makes me think that she might just be nervous—and that means she might feel how I do.
She doesn’t say a word as the world shifts around me, a blur of darkness overtaking everything in my vision except for her. She is the only constant for a few moments, a cool breeze dancing around us, searching for a gap between us to slip through.
It’s over almost as quickly as it began, and we’re surrounded by scenery almost as breathtaking as she is. White crystals protrude from the walls, varying in levels of transparency.
There are lanterns around, already on and illuminating the area. Did she plan to bring me here the entire time? Gods, she does want to teach me.
“They’re calcite and quartz—they form naturally here in the conservation area.” Her voice echoes slightly off the walls, the ceiling high above us with crystals hanging down. “Because it’s so deep, this cave hasn’t been found yet by anyone else. It’s my secret place.”
My heart skips a beat, a combination of feelings swirling inside me. She trusts me enough to show me something important to her, which is a total win. But she also did say she thought about killing me, and I definitely wouldn’t be found here.
That is definitely a risk I am willing to take.
“What do they do, benefit-wise?” I ask, watching as she drags her fingertips gently across the pointed tips of the formations.
“Calcite is good for clearing negative energy, and it also can boost motivation.” She loops around the room of the cave, approaching me. “Quartz is similar—it can help amplify energy and aid in mental clarity.”
Nodding along, my breath hitches in my throat as she stops just short of me, staring up. “I’ll make a note of that.”
Her hand extends, hovering above my chest by mere inches. “You do something to me, Carson.” For the first time, there’s hesitancy in her voice.
“Something good, I hope?” All I can focus on is her—the way her lips part, how close she is, the sensation of her tail wrapping around my thigh.
She gently places her hand on my chest, and there’s no doubt in my mind that she can feel my heart racing beneath it. “I’m not sure yet, but I think I want to figure it out.”
“I think I want you to figure it out, too.” I can’t keep my eyes off her lips, the urge to kiss her damn near overpowering me.
Another small smile graces her face, and I force my eyes upward to meet her gaze.
“Do you think you’ve learned enough about crystals for one day?” She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, her other hand gently gripping the collar of my jacket.
I nod, my hand finding the small of her back. “I do.”
She briefly tenses at my touch, and I fear I’ve messed it all up, but within a few seconds, her muscles ease. Her body seems to relax into me, her hand on my chest traveling upward.
Within an instant, I’m waving the white flag, surrendering to my urges and dipping lower to bring my lips to hers. My hand travels up her back as her lips meet mine, pulling her close as my other hand finds her hip.
As our lips fully collide over and over, and she grips my collar, pulling me closer to deepen the kiss. Her tail is tight around my thigh, but it doesn’t bother me—it’s reassurance that she’s enjoying this as much as I am.
Kissing her feels so natural, our lips moving together like two colors blending in one perfect swipe. It’s unlike any other kiss I’ve had, and I intend to be kissing only her again.
She is perfect.
She is my muse.
Her grip on my collar loosens, her hands moving to gently hold the sides of my neck. The kiss slows, but the passion remains, and it’s a good thing I don’t have my sketchbook, or I’d totally ruin the moment when she inevitably pulls away.
The inspiration she just breathed into me with that kiss…only she could do that to me. There’s not a drop of doubt in my mind. My heart and soul belong to her.
When she pulls away, all I’m filled with is the yearning for more. I just want to bring her lips back to mine, but I hold myself together, watching as she puts a bit of space between us.
Her tail releases my leg, returning to sway behind her. There’s a different look in those dark eyes of hers, something that gives them a soft edge. Is it uncertainty? Nervousness?
“I’m glad you brought me here today.” I keep my voice low for one reason only: keeping the moment how it is—vulnerable.
She blinks up at me a few times before letting out a nervous laugh and shaking her head. “I am too.”
Being this close to her is a gift from the universe. It truly has brought me to my muse. She’s more than that, though. She’s something that’s been missing from my life. Part of my heart, mind, and soul has been given to her—and I don’t ever want it back.
Who would’ve thought that in a little place called Harmony Glen I would find such a hidden gem?
“You know…”
Nervousness washes through me as she bites her lip. Did I do something wrong? Am I a terrible kisser? Has she been flooded by sudden regret, or maybe a newfound desire to kill me?
My heart pounds. “Yes?”
Her eyes narrow as she brings her lips near mine. “I think I’m still far from figuring everything out.”
“Well, I think I could be very useful in helping you with that.” I flirt, speaking the words onto her lips as she brushes them against mine.
She takes my bottom lip between her teeth, the slight pinch exhilarating as her tail winds itself around my leg again. “I agree.”
Her arms wrap around the back of my neck as her lips press against mine once more. Before I know it, we’re laying on the floor of the cave, surrounded by crystals, lips locked and hands traveling over clothes.
This moment is perfect—no, picturesque.
I can’t wait to paint every sensation of this moment, and all our moments to come.