Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Cryptids United in Delightful Dating and Love Encouragement (CUDDLE) Forum
SuperShySasquatch: This is a bit off our usual topic, but do any of you know much about mages?
NessieNeedsLoveToo: I’ve tangled with a few a time or two. What do you want to know?
SuperShySasquatch: We’re looking to hire one to help out with some magical mysteries happening in town, including a rogue portal that opened up on its own and isn’t closing.
IPutTheBrahInChupacabra: Shit, bro. That sounds dicey. But yeah, a powerful enough mage should be able to help.
NessieNeedsLoveToo: A lot will depend on how big the problem is and how long you’ll need the mage to stick around.
MerMagicMan: I think what Nessie’s referring to is the fact that mages like to be where the action is. They’re less likely to want to stick around once the excitement fades.
SuperShySasquatch: Hmm. A friend of mine suggested something similar. I guess I don’t know much about mages.
YetiOrNotHereICome: From what I’ve seen, a lot of them like to lone wolf it. When you have that much power, a healthy ego tends to come along with it.
LoungeSingerLizardMan: Ain’t that the truth. They’re a talented lot, but most of them are arrogant pricks.
NessieNeedsLoveToo: Just be careful and make sure you’ve got an airtight contract with whoever you hire.
SuperShySasquatch: Oh dear. This is getting more complicated by the minute. At least I’m not the one in charge of doing the hiring.
Hal
Inever could have imagined how sweet my full name would sound coming from Skylar’s lips. Now it’s all I can think about.
As we walk home from our date, Skylar’s phone buzzes, interrupting my wayward thoughts. The light from the screen illuminates his face as he studies the message.
“Max wants to know if we can have a doggy playdate soon.”
“Sounds great to me.” I chuckle. “I’m not surprised he wants to make this happen. Max firmly believes that the more people are with others, the better everyone’s life is.”
Skylar smiles. “Mr. Supermanny Extraordinaire is certainly memorable. Seems like a cool guy too. What’s his hellhound like?”
“Waffles is pretty much bossed around by Princess Peach even though he could flatten her with one paw. He’s got boundless energy and often forgets how big he is, but he’s very loving and loyal.
Oh, and he takes protecting his family seriously, especially Harn and Yara, the two orclings Max and Targan are raising. ”
Skylar types back a quick response. “I gave him a couple of morning options next week and will wait to hear back. Hope that’s cool?”
I squeeze his hand. “Works for me. My schedule’s pretty flexible, as you know.”
When we get back home, we’re greeted by an overly enthusiastic Elvira, who takes a few minutes to cover us in her puppy slobber—three tongues add up—before calming down.
“She probably needs another walk before bed,” Skylar says, ruffling the tops of all three of her heads in turn, which makes her tails wag.
I gulp.
“Would you mind taking her? I have something I need to do,” I say, hoping I don’t sound as nervous as I feel.
Skylar gives me a questioning look and nods, then gets Elvira into the harness Max gave me the other day, an old hand-me-down of Waffles’s.
When I hear the door shut behind him, I spring into action.
In the living room, I turn the lights down low and use candles for a more intimate ambiance.
I take some time to move the coffee table out of the way and free up space in the middle of the room, then I get my record player going with an album of classic love songs playing softly in the background.
Before too long, the door opens and Elvira scampers to her water bowls in the kitchen. Skylar, meanwhile, comes to a halt in the doorway to the living room and stares.
Swallowing my nerves, I step closer and hold out my hand to him.
“May I have this dance?”
“What’s all this?” he asks, gesturing behind me, a look of awe on his face.
“I wanted to end our date tonight with a dance.” I bite my bottom lip. “Actually, I’ve wanted to slow dance with you for a long time.”
Slowly, he takes hold of my hand, his eyes full of wonder. “This is like something out of a movie.”
Ella Fitzgerald starts singing “Isn’t it Romantic” as I take Skylar into my arms in the glow of the candlelight and lead us into a basic two-step.
I smile. “Well, I did take some inspiration from a few of my favorites. We’re no Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina, but I think we’re just as romantic.”
“I haven’t seen that one.”
“It’s an old movie, but I love it. We’ll watch it together soon on one of our movie nights. I’m really looking forward to those.”
“Me too,” Skylar says softly.
The warm glow of the candlelight softens his features, and I once more find myself caught up in how very dear he has become to me. I don’t want to imagine a life without him in it.
“For being so big, you’re surprisingly graceful, Hal. Me, I don’t really know how to dance like this,” Skylar says, stumbling a little and giving me a crooked smile. “Sorry in advance if I stomp on your feet.”
I smile. “Don’t worry, my feet can take it.”
He chuckles and we continue to move together, finding our own rhythm.
The song ends and transitions into Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable.”
Skylar looks up at me as we sway in time with the music, his eyes warm and inviting. “You weren’t kidding about being an old-fashioned romantic. My grandma would’ve been real impressed.”
“What about you? Are you impressed?” I ask, not breaking his gaze.
“Hell yeah. This is real sweet and romantic.” Skylar smiles softly. “And it’s so very you, Hal.” He sniffles, his eyes tearing up. “My grandma would’ve loved you. And been so happy that I found you.”
Now it’s my turn to stumble, his words touching me deeply.
“I wish I could have met her.”
“Me too.”
I clear my throat. “I’ve thought about this, and I guess I appreciate older forms of courtship because I find them to be more nuanced and less rushed.
There’s a lot to be said for taking your time when wooing someone and growing your emotional connection, and being ace means this fits me even more than most. I know there aren’t a lot of men these days who share my view though, which has made it hard for me to find a partner. ” I swallow thickly. “Until you.”
“Your approach is new to me, for sure, but I can honestly say I like it a lot better than what all my exes thought made a relationship. For a long time, I kinda assumed I wasn’t ever gonna find someone who wanted something with me besides sex.” He locks his eyes on mine. “Until you.”
My heart flutters wildly in my chest.
Louis Armstrong’s version of “La Vie en Rose” starts playing, and we continue to move together, finding our own rhythm. It doesn’t even feel like my feet are touching the floor, that’s how much I’m floating on cloud nine right now.
“So this is okay with you?” I ask, needing some validation.
Skylar chuckles softly. “You can be an old-fashioned romantic with me any day of the week. Hell, you might be turning me into one too.”
“Holding you like this is the kind of physical intimacy I enjoy,” I offer shyly. “It brings me pleasure and makes me happy.”
He swallows hard, making his Adam’s apple bob. “Me too.”
This moment is so precious and perfect that I carve it into my memory to remember always.
We dance through several more songs until I find my eyes drifting down to Skylar’s neck and the colorful ink there. I’ve long wanted to ask him about it but didn’t want to get too personal if he didn’t feel comfortable sharing. Now, however, seems like a good time to test those waters.
“Would you… tell me about your tattoos? I think they’re beautiful.”
Just like you.
He searches my face for a long moment and then gently pulls out of my arms.
To my total shock, he reaches down to grab the hem of his shirt and pulls it over his head, tossing it on the couch.
He grins. “Look all you like.”
Skylar has a lean but strong build. His skin is pale, and there’s a dusting of dark hair on his chest and down his abdomen.
The intricate tattoo design starts at his chest, over his heart, and then snakes up the side of his neck.
It’s a colorful mix of vines and branches that gracefully intertwine, blossoming with buds and several vibrant flowers.
“A tattoo artist friend did the design and inked it herself. It was one way I took back control of my body after everything that happened with Damien. I wanted a visual reminder that I’m strong, that he didn’t destroy me.
” Skylar rakes a hand through his hair, darting his eyes away.
“It also covers some of my scars from the attack, so she went with something life-affirming and empowering. Something that ‘shows my tenacity and ability to keep growing and blossoming, no matter what’ is what she said.” He lets out an awkward laugh.
“She saw something in me when I wasn’t quite there yet, but I liked how pretty it is, and the meaning behind it made me feel strong. ”
I need to find out who she is and invite her for a free long weekend at the B&B. Her and all the other wonderful people who helped Skylar when he needed it most and I wasn’t part of his life yet. They have my eternal gratitude.
I fight back tears. “It’s beautiful. May I touch it?”
His eyes finally return to mine, and he gives a tight nod.
Oh so gently, I extend my hand to lightly trace my fingers against his skin, following the path of the pattern.
Skylar shivers under my touch and closes his eyes.
“Is this okay?” I whisper.
His voice comes out gruff but clear. “Yeah.”
I take my time, exploring every detail, feeling the knotty texture of scarred skin underneath my fingertips in places the ink covers. From what I can detect, Skylar maybe downplayed how serious his injuries were when he told me about them.
A weight settles in my stomach. I can barely breathe and my fingers tremble. Thank the Goddess, Skylar lived through the attack. If he hadn’t, I never would have gotten to know this man who means everything to me now.
Before I know it, I’ve stepped in much closer to him.
If ever a moment called for some kissing, this is it.
Or, at least, I’m pretty sure now’s a perfect moment. But I’m no expert outside the realm of fiction.
My heart races, but I don’t hold back.
“I really want to kiss you right now. Would you… like that?” I finally manage to ask, my palms turning sweaty.
Skylar opens his eyes and looks up into mine, a faint smile playing over his lips.
“Yeah, I think I would.”
I’m nervous as all get out. I’ve never done this before and I don’t entirely know what I’m doing, but I lean down and carefully press my lips to his.
The sensation is electrifying. So much so, I worry all my copious amounts of body hair might be standing on end.
I finally understand what all those stories I’ve read were trying to convey. Somehow, though, the real thing is so much better than I ever could have imagined. Especially when Skylar wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me closer.
I’m riding on an internal high from connecting with Skylar—my perfect penguin of a life partner—like this. His lips are soft and smaller than mine, but they make me tingly all over. Just touching mine to his turns me lightheaded with pleasure.
It soon becomes apparent to me that Skylar’s far more skilled than I am when it comes to this activity, and I’m happy for him to take the lead. He instantly ups the ante when he nibbles and teasingly flicks the tip of his tongue against my lips before seeking entrance.
I open to him willingly, and he sucks on my tongue in a way that has me seeing stars and going weak in the knees.
I always thought that was just an expression, but no, it’s a totally real and legitimate phenomenon. Especially when Skylar is kissing me like this is an Olympic sport and he’s going for gold.
His mouth is downright magical, and I lose all track of time.
When we finally come up for air, I don’t even know how long we’ve been at it.
“That was the most divine thing I’ve ever experienced,” I say, unable to contain the dreamy note in my voice.
Skylar smiles softly. “Yeah, it was real nice. Kissing you feels good. Right, somehow.”
It’s like he’s reading my mind.
Elvira interrupts the moment by snoring so loudly from her dog bed in the corner that she startles herself awake.
Skylar and I look at her and then each other before we burst out laughing.
Our romantic moment fizzles a little, and we both realize it’s getting late. By mutual agreement, we decide to head to bed. Outside Skylar’s bedroom, we hug one another, taking our time.
“You give the best fucking hugs,” Skylar mumbles into the apron over my chest.
“Thank you, but you’re no slouch either. You’re a kissing genius.”
He laughs. “I don’t know about that. Maybe you just inspire me.”
“So you liked the kissing too?” I ask hopefully.
He gives me a slow and devastatingly handsome grin. “You bet your ass I did.”
Swoon!
We say our good nights, and I practically float to my room with Elvira prancing along at my side.
Lying under the covers, Little Ms. Elvira curled into my side, I replay my first kiss over and over again in my mind and try to figure out when is too soon to tell Skylar I’m madly in love with him.