“There are no needles. All of these tools and not one needle to thread the designs. It would have to be pretty big for a loom that size.”
“Well, these have clearly been here for a long time. Maybe the needles are just lost.” Brahm crawls around the storage pit and kisses my cheek, running his fingers through my hair. “Let’s find a place to rest and warm you up.”
Hand-in-hand, we wander down the hallway toward the hearth room where we find the remains of high walls and a fireplace. The sun falls below the mountains, leaving us inside its cold, blue shadow. Both the snow flurries and the wind have died down.
“I say we stay here.” I toss my satchel to the ground. “These walls can help protect us from wolves if they’re still out there. And we’ll be warm with a fire.”
Brahm agrees, and, at once, we gather firewood. When we return, Brahm retrieves Mitzi’s matches from his satchel and lights a fire. I fan out the blanket and kick off my boots. Brahm blows at the kindling, which ignites into a warm, crackling fire. Something stirs within me as well.
Untying the sash of my dress, I whisper, “Brahm.”
He turns as I let my white dress fall to my feet. Brahm stares at my body for a few moments and moves closer, running his hands up my legs with a slight lustful grin on his face.
“Let me worship you, my goddess.”
I toss the floral crown to the side and nod. Brahm presses his soft lips against my inner thigh, and I gasp for air. Brahm’s lips work their way between my legs, and my head flails back with bliss. My knees grow weak as he pleases me. Brahm wraps his arms behind my lower back to hold me steady.
He kisses me and kisses me and kisses me. I make sounds I’ve never made before, my lungs singing praises for Brahm. He makes me feel so good. My skin grows hot and blooms with pink splotches. A huge wave of pleasure washes over me, and I collapse to my knees, draping over Brahm’s shoulder. His scent fills my nose, making me desire him even more.
Ripping off his shirt, I push Brahm onto the blanket. He watches with wide eyes as I undo his belt and remove his boots and pants. Tossing them aside, I course my hands up his legs to his arousal. An intense craving to taste him like he tasted me takes over. I try my best to give Brahm pleasure with my mouth.
I work him with my hands as well. “Is this alright?”
“Oh, Gisela,” Brahm says with a moan as his body arches. “Beyond alright.”
I place my mouth around him again, bobbing my head up and down.
“Good goddess!” Brahm reaches for my arms and pulls me toward him. “You’re amazing.”
He kisses me hard as I straddle his lap. My lips trail to his neck.
Brahm tugs at my hair, forcing me to look into his eyes. “Do you still want to go all the way? Are you ready?”
“I’m ready.”
Our hands knock into each other as we both fumble to guide him inside. Staring into Brahm’s eyes, I slide myself onto him slowly. I gasp as he fills me with intense pleasure.
“Oh, Gisela. You feel like magic.”
I place Brahm’s hands on my hips. “Guide me.”
He nods and gently rocks me back and forth. “I don’t want to hurt you. Are you good?”
“Yes.”
Once we’re going, Brahm’s hands wander around my body. I lean forward to kiss him as I move my hips. Brahm moans straight into my mouth and flips me over onto the blanket. Our bodies meld together and move in unison. I taste the sweet sweat on his neck.
“Is this alright?” he whispers in my ear.
“Oh, yes.” Wrapping my legs around Brahm’s back, I cling to his long twists of hair.
“I love you,” he whispers.
The blissful sounds escaping our lungs grow louder. I dig my fingernails into his back, deeper with every satisfying movement. The stars twinkle above walls of the ruins as another explosion of pleasure forces my body rigid. I release a moan, and my legs fall slack to the ground. I kiss Brahm’s lips, and he rests his forehead against mine as his hips roll even faster. His breathing is wild until he completely stops moving and orgasms with a loud and shaking moan.
Brahm collapses, blanketing me with his body. We both catch our breaths. I play with his hair and nuzzle his ear until Brahm pushes himself onto his arms. Biting the side of my lip, I trace my fingers around his chest. Staring back at me, Brahm’s eyes are almost empty. His face is strained as he pulls out and rolls over.
“What’s wrong?” I rub his shoulder, realizing the damage my nails caused to his back. “Is it the scratches? I’m so sorry.”
Brahm shakes his head and stands. “I just need a moment.”
He walks out of the hearth room and behind a tall, stone wall. What the fuck? I snap my eyes to the sky, and the stars swirl around in my tears. I wait for a while, but he doesn’t return. Lying alone next to the fire, I feel Brahm’s “love” drip down to my ass. I pick myself up and head toward the creek to wash.
Wading into the cool water, I’m so overcome with emotions, I can’t help but cry. I told Brahm I loved him and had sex with him—and he just walks away? My tears plop into the sparkling moonlight rippling on the water.
After I splash myself off, Brahm heads toward the creek. Is he going to say something? He wades into the water and cleans himself with his back to me. Though the water is freezing, my cheeks and ears grow hot.
“Brahm Wolf. What is the matter with you?”
He shakes his head and locks his fingers behind his neck as steam rises from his arms.
“You make love to me, but you don’t hold me, talk to me, or even look at me? Face me right now, or I will leave you and figure out a way to kill Hexegot on my own.”
With tears in his red, puffy eyes, Brahm turns and claps his hand over his mouth. He wades forward in the creek, but I step back and cross my arms over my chest.
“I’m sorry. I would never want to hurt you.” He touches his forehead. “Shit. It’s just…I don’t even know how to explain.”
“Try me,” I say through clenched teeth.
He takes a deep breath. “Alright. First, I’ve been in love with you for a very long time. Desperately, hopelessly, madly in love. I never thought this would actually hap—”
“So, what does that mean? You’ve had me on some sort of pedestal. Did I not live up to your goddess fantasy?” I ask, gesturing toward the ruins. “I’m just a person.”
“Oh, no, no, no. That’s not it, Freckles.” He reaches for me, but I shrink back again.
“Do you treat other girls this way?”
“What other girls?” Brahm shakes his head, straining his eyebrows. “There’s no one else. I’ve dated and kissed a few girls to get Wil and our friends off my back, but I only ever wanted you. This was my first time, too.”
“Oh.” I try to keep my face hard while my teeth chatter. “Then what is it?”
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m so filled with happiness…it’s overwhelming.” Brahm hangs his head and shrugs his shoulders. “And, I suppose, I’m also filled with…guilt.”
“Guilt?”
“Yes. I feel I just disrespected Wil’s wishes and…” He trails off for a moment and shakes his head. “On the day Wil died, he and I had gotten into a huge fight. I confessed to him that I was still in love with you, hoping he would finally give me his blessing to court you. Instead, he threw a fit and left to pick up an extra shift at the mine. He wasn’t supposed to be at work the day I found you crying at the creek. It’s my fault he was there. I’ve felt responsible for his death ever since.”