Page 47 of Zombies, Satyrs and Vampires, Oh My!

chapter

thirteen

Harriet

He draws me a bath, then sits on the edge of the tub and watches me. His golden eyes are hooded while he swipes one of his hands through the bubble-filled water.

“You’re beautiful, Harriet. So goddamn beautiful,” he says, his voice is raw and scratchy. More than likely from how vocal he was during the sex.

THE SEX.

It feels like it should be all capitalized. Perhaps even turned into a national holiday. Because that was on a level I was unaware existed. I lost track of how many orgasms I had.

I want to talk about the fact that he came too, but I don’t know how to bring it up. I mean either his information about what would break the secondary curse was wrong, or my love was strong enough on its own.

“What are you thinking about? You should be so relaxed, but your face is all squished up with your thoughts.” He cups my cheek and gives me a sweet smile.

“That was amazing in there,” I say. Maybe that will spur him into the conversation.

“You have no idea. I haven’t been this calm in more than two decades.” He frowns, wrinkles crinkle across his brow. “It didn’t work the way I thought it would though.”

“The sex?” I ask.

He chuckles. “No, that worked perfectly. It was unbelievable how good it was. And not just because I hadn’t had an orgasm in such a long time. It was amazing because it was with you.”

“I never knew it could be like that.”

“Well, humans don’t have giant cocks like I do,” he says with a cheeky grin.

“I’m sure that helped. But there was more to it for me,” I say, willing him to understand.

He stares at me, unblinking for a moment, but doesn’t say anything else.

“I could get out now. I’m chilly,” I say, standing to my feet.

He grabs a towel and helps me out of the tub, then wraps the thick cotton around me.

“I suppose I should thank you,” he says. “I don’t want you to feel obligated to stay with me. I know why the curse broke and well, you just don’t need to feel like you need to do more.”

“I see.” I just want to sink into myself and cry. I’m happy for him, truly, but I didn’t think he’d dismiss me. “There are other bedrooms. That one is probably too messy.”

He turns me to face him, his thumb wipes a tear from my cheek.

“Why are you crying, beautiful? Did I do something wrong?”

That breaks the tear dam and a whole flood of them spring forth. Just perfect. Best sex of my life, quickly followed by me and my snot face.

He picks me up, cradling me to his chest, then walks us to another bedroom. Then he’s sitting, leaning against the headboard and I’m snuggled in his lap.

“Talk to me, Harriet. Tell me what I broke so I can fix it.”

“You didn’t break anything. I did. I broke your curse. But for a minute there I thought it was because you loved me too. Now I know that it’s because I just love you so much. I guess it was enough. Which is wonderful and amazing for you. I’m just sad for me.”

“Because you think your love was enough to cure me and that my own affections weren’t required?” he asks.

“Exactly. It’s okay. I’ll be okay. Just don’t make me go away right now. Can you just hold me for a little while?”

He sets me back some, further down his legs and yanks the towel off my body so I’m straddling him naked.