Chapter 29
We’re meeting in the tunnels at lunchtime, but I’m heading down there early.
My need for some more Ludo one-on-one time is intense.
Even though I’m sure Lu doesn’t care a jot what I wear, I take a moment to pick out something special.
Hmm, yes. A mint-green tank, electric blue tights, then a pair of jean-shorts over the top. It’s stupidly cold outside, so I add a huge hot-pink fleece that Willow had been sent by an Aunt.
Wills is not a hot-pink kind of girl. I definitely am.
Spinning around in front of the mirror, I think it looks good, but not sexy enough. Swapping out the blue tights for some red fishnets does the trick.
I don’t wear heels, mainly because a) the only ones I own are part of my uniform b) they’re stupid.
Instead I pull on the new Uggs Dono bought me. He was worried my battered chucks weren’t keeping my toes warm enough.
After some eyeliner, and a tiny hint of sparkle on my cheeks, I head out.
My feet slow as I pass the sick bay.
The sparkle boost I’d got from Maximus has faded, but I’m still in there every day, trying to reach Wes.
I should be spending every second in there.
The thought is heavy.
I close my eyes for a second, feeling the chains of Lumina that bond me to Ludo and Donovan, to Alexis, to Max.
There’s even a very tiny, fragile thread that leads to Cosmo.
But not to Wes.
I love Wes, that hasn't changed, but currently he’s a ghost and I need something…vital.
Alive.
That’s why I’m pulled towards the basement. My love for Ludo restarts my footsteps.
I can’t save Wes if I’m a hollowed-out shell of guilt. I need the warmth of connection.
—I’ll be back later, Wes. Love you—
Nothing.
—Coming your way, Lu—
—I’m here, Nymph—
In the basement, I knock on the long table that’s propped against the wall. Ludo shifts it from his side then stands there, his eyes roving over my body.
His frame fills the space.
—Nymph—
My janitor steps forward and scoops me up, moving me into the tunnel, then putting me down again.
—Wait— he tells me.
As soon as Ludo has sealed up the entrance, I’m back in his arms. This time, I feel the hard ridge of his cock grinding into my belly.
Holy shitballs.
“Take me to your room.”
—It is humble—
“Does it have a bed?”
—A mattress—
“Then, it’s perfect.”
He carries me, and I nestle my head in his shoulder. —Walk faster—
I hear a chuff of breath that constitutes a Ludo-laugh. I don’t know what’s got into me, but I’m in a near frenzy of desire. My nose traces the contours of his shoulder, then without thinking, I bite down, hard.
He pauses for a second, then swings me around so I’m crushed up against the wall.
“Are you going to kiss me then?”
Instantly, his lips are against mine. Our mouths frantically dance together. I lock my legs around his back, pulling my fingers through his long hair. A moan leaves my throat at the rocking of his hips. “Please.”
Just grinding against this wall I feel close to exploding.
Ludo grunts, grabbing me under the ass cheeks, then setting off at a running pace into the dark. We take turn after turn until we reach a door. With one hand, he flings it open then charges over to the mattress, dropping me there so I bounce.
Breathless.
I prop myself up onto my elbows, then, with my knees bent, I slowly part my thighs.
—I scent your arousal—
“I’m soaked through for you,” I confess. “Do you want to see?”
When he falls to his knees in front of me, I take that as a yes.
Then he freezes; his pupils so blown they swallow the mis-matched color of his irises. There is far too much fabric between us.
With that thought, I start to strip, casting off my fleece, then wiggling out of my jean-shorts, leaving me in just the tank and tights.
My nipples tighten and pucker in the cool air. Ludo’s gaze is fixed on the apex of the red latticed fishnets.
I slowly peel them down my legs, baring my damp panties to him in the dim light of a single bulb. The cool air hits my skin, but I’m burning up.
Ludo lets out a low, vibrating growl that I feel to my core. He reaches out, but his large hand stops, hovering just inches away from my inner thigh.
“Touch me, Lu,” I whisper, my voice thick. “I want to feel your fingers on me.”
He closes the distance, palm hot against my skin as it traces the curve of my leg. With agonizing slowness, his thumb skims down and down until it meets the damp silk that shields my core.
I arch my back, a gasp escaping me as my toes flex.
But then, he stops again, pulling back his hand.
I look up to see his expression shift from one of hunger to one of uncertainty.
—I don’t know…—
“Don’t know what?”
Ludo sinks back onto his heels.—I have never done this—
Actually, that doesn’t surprise me, given his history. I pull my knees together. “Do you want to stop? It’s OK. We can stop, just kiss. Or nothing at all.”
He looks down at the mattress, his face darkening with a flush. —I did not think I’d ever know such things…I don’t deserve you—
Shit. I crawl forward until I’m kneeling directly in front of him, then take his calloused hands in mine.
Bringing them to my lips, I kiss his knuckles. “I’ve never met a man who deserves the world, Ludo,” I say, my voice firm. “Not until I met you. And as for not knowing what to do... that’s OK. We’ll learn together. I’m hardly an expert.”
He raises an eyebrow.—The horse. The gryphon—
“Yes, and Wes too. But everyone is different.” I reach out and tug gently on the sleeve of his coveralls. “I want you, Ludo. I want you. But only if that’s something you want too, something you are ready for. Because also, I’ll wait for you until the end of the world.”
—I want…—
“Yes?”
—I want to…try…but what do I do?—
I look at him, filling my gaze with everything possible to express my love.
“Whatever you want to do.”