Page 30 of Evergreen

Chapter 13

Linden

The door to my room closed behind me. Cass was standing beside me, looking at the rack of plants I kept against the window. Now that we were alone and in my room, my earlier boldness melted away. Suddenly I was nervous, shaky, and more than a little worried that I’d gotten myself in way over my head. It was easy to act when I was horny and thought there would be no consequences. But now that we were planning to get naked together, I was terrified.

“Your plants are nice,” Cass said, reaching out to touch one of the delicate vines trailing down from a hanging pot. His voice sounded different here, in the privacy of my room. Less defensive and grumpy than usual.

I watched him move around the space, taking in the details of my life. The books stacked haphazardly on my shelves. The sketches Nerion had done of me when we were still roommates pinned to the cork board above my desk. The way the afternoon light filtered through the window and cast everything in shades of green and gold.

“Thanks,” I said, and I could hear the nervousness creeping into my own voice. “I, uh... I should probably tell you that I have no idea what I’m doing here.”

Cass turned to look at me, and I watched as a slow smile spread across his face. It was beautiful. “Yeah, I figured that out already, big guy.”

I felt my cheeks warm at the nickname, at the way he was looking at me like I was something worth looking at. Like he wanted me just as much as I wanted him.

“I’ve never...” I started, then stopped. It felt pathetic to admit out loud, even though I’d already told him as much downstairs. “I don’t know how to do this.”

“That’s okay,” Cass said, closing the distance between us. He reached up and ran his fingers over my jaw and down my neck. “We’ll figure it out together. And I’ll tell you if you’re doing something wrong.”

“That’s not reassuring,” I said, but I was already leaning into his touch.

“Good,” he replied, his lips quirking up at the corners. “You should be a little nervous. Means you’re excited about this.”

He kissed me then, slow and deliberate, like we had all the time in the world. My hands came up to grip his shoulders, pulling him closer. Through his shirt, I could feel the solid muscle underneath, the warmth of his body seeping into mine. He felt so small in my hands. I reminded myself that I had to be careful. I was easily a foot taller than him in my dryad form.

When he pulled back, his eyes were still dark, pupils wide with lust. But there was something else there too. A patience I didn’t expect. Like he was willing to let this go at whatever pace I needed.

I appreciated that.

“What do you want to do first?” he asked breathlessly. “Do you want me to get naked or on my knees or⁠—”

“Can I—” I interrupted, nerves getting the better of me. “Can I undress you?”

“Yeah,” Cass said, stepping back slightly. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

I reached for the hem of his shirt, my hands trembling slightly as I pulled it up and over his head. He raised his arms to help, and then his chest was bare in front of me, all lean muscle and pale skin dotted with a light dusting of dark hair. My breath caught in my throat. He was beautiful. Not in the polished, cultivated way of some of the other guys I’d seen around campus, but in a raw, honest way that made my stomach flutter.

“Your turn,” Cass said, already reaching for my shirt.

I hesitated for just a moment before nodding. I pulled my shirt off, acutely aware of how much bigger I was than him. My chest was broader, my shoulders wider, my entire frame dwarfing his. I’d never been self-conscious about my body before, but standing here with Cass looking at me like he wanted to devour me, I suddenly worried that my size might be too much.

“Fuck,” he breathed out, reaching up to place his palms flat against my chest. I could feel the warmth of his skin against mine, could feel the slight tremor in his hands. “You’re fucking huge.”

“Is that... okay?” I asked, hating how uncertain I sounded.

“More than okay,” he said, running his hands down my sides, tracing the lines of muscle. “It’s really hot, actually.”

My magic responded to his touch, golden light flickering beneath my skin like fireflies. I watched as his eyes widened, and saw the wonder cross his features.

“That’s so fucking beautiful,” he murmured, leaning forward to press a kiss against my chest. His lips were warm, and I felt a jolt of pleasure shoot through me.

I threaded my fingers into his hair, holding him close as he continued to kiss and nuzzle against my pecs. Every touch sent waves of sensation cascading through my body. I’d thought I understood what sex was supposed to feel like based on what I’d read and what Nerion had told me, but this was something else entirely. This was intimate in a way I hadn’t anticipated. And we hadn’t even gotten to the main event yet.

“Cass,” I said, my voice rough. “That feels⁠—”

He pulled back, looking up at me with those green eyes. “Is it okay?”

I nodded. “Better than okay.”