It would be totally different if I was insecure about my ass because it’s thick and big. Granted, I love my big bum, but that would be a circumstance where it would be inside my head, and no one would ever have the slightest inclination. But my scars? They’re not so easy to hide.
“I’m not going to instantly feel better about my body. It’s going to take time.” I’m stern with Runes but for good reason. I don’t want him thinking I’m not trying here. The fact I’m out of the house shows how much I’m attempting right now.
“I know, but it’s about bein’ comfortable with makin’ yourself uncomfortable. You’re with me, sweetheart. You don’t gotta feel bad about anythin’, all right? Your skin is a part of you like my tats are a part of me. They’re art. That’s what I think when I look at you, that you’re marked with art. Your scars tell a story the way my tats do. Only, you completely trump me. Ask me what I think about ‘em.” Runes smirks at me, raking his eyes up and down my body.
“What do you think?”
“You’re a survivor and your burns tell your story. And I don’t just think it, Fern, I believe it.” I take my hand and grab Runes’s, giving it a squeeze in thanks.
“Thank you for being so kind to me,” I say, meaning every word. I knew from the moment we started messing around a few months ago he was a good guy, but what I didn’t know was how big his heart was. Sure, the situation we’re in is anything but normal, but I’m damn glad he asked me to do this. Being together is showing me more of the side I’m learning to appreciate about him. I appreciated it before, but now I love it. Hell, before the fire, he made my heart flutter and my stomach tighten up. Now it’s only growing. I can see myself falling for this guy, and there’s no way I can deny it.
“You don’t need to thank me for anythin’. Your company is enough.” Runes smirks, running his thumb on top of my hand.
I know we got married so we can get Tor away from his mom permanently, but the negative voices in my head make me wonder if he’s doing this all for show. Did he bed me last night to pull me into this marriage? I want to think he didn’t, how he couldn’t be capable of such a thing, but until we get to know more about each other, I won’t know for certain.
“Want to go back in the water?” I ask him. Releasing his hand, I stand and pull off my tunic. Runes is right. It’s about being comfortable being uncomfortable. I need to push myself a little bit each day in making these baby steps, and eventually, it won’t be so bad.
“Thought you would never ask,” Runes cackles. He rises and captures my hand once more, and we walk out into the water. We get about chest-deep, and a massive wave comes crashing down on top of us. I don’t know how it happened. Were we not paying attention? The moment I bob my head out through the surface, I brush my hair back and wipe the water from my eyes. Runes is laughing, getting a good kick out of what happened. I don’t know what comes over me, but I join him, and God, it feels good.
He looks me right in the eyes and what he says rocks me to my core. “I don’t think you’ve ever looked more beautiful.”
Chapter Nine
Runes
“Runes, do you want to invite your brothers over for dinner?” Fern asks from the kitchen.
I tilt my head in her direction from my spot on the couch, seeing her perfectly from where I am. My cock stands to attention at the sight of her. Fern is moving around naturally in the kitchen, prepping dinner for the evening. She’s wearing one of her summer dresses that falls all the way to the floor, but it conforms to her body like a second skin.
It’s been a week since Fern and I got married on the spur of a dime. Other than Fenrir, she’s the only one who knows what Tor’s been through. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with it, but it’s not my story to tell. My son’s privacy means a lot to me, and I won’t have him feeling like I broke his trust.
After the wedding, Fern said it would be best if we moved into her house to make sure it looked good on paper. She’s become as adamant as I have about proving we’re a loving, doting family to the courts. Tor didn’t seem to mind the move. Why would he? I know what he went through was traumatic for him, but he’s a damn good kid and knows a good person when he sees them. Fern and Tor hit it off right off the bat, which has made all of this easier. I was worried about it at first, but thank Gods, it didn’t backfire. I understand she and I have a good ten-year age gap between us, but I’m drawn to the woman. I swore after leaving Tor’s mom I’d never lock myself down again.
Tor’s mom and I went to school together. She was the wild child that made every guy in the school want her. At the time, I had a claim to her. Hillary’s parents never cared much if she stayed out all night or not. Then I knocked her up and everything changed. I wasn’t ready to settle down, but I knew I needed to do something. I married her, went into the Army, did two tours, and it was enough for me.
The last tour was more than enough. I lost brothers, men I thought of as friends. It was horrible and it still haunts me.
I stand from my chair, inwardly shaking the demons away while I stalk after Fern in the kitchen. My brothers don’t know I married Fern, and she hasn’t said anything to anyone. I only told them Fern got two roommates, me and Tor, to help her around the place so she can finally start to feel normal again.
Closing in on Fern, I lock gazes with her while I corner her against the kitchen counter, placing my hands on either side of her. In the past week the two of us have been married, I haven’t fucked her again. I’ve wanted to more than anything else, but I needed to make sure Fern felt comfortable having Tor and me in her space constantly. Now with Tor out of the house visiting a friend, I can do what I’ve been dying to do. Sink deep into her tight wet hole, the one that feels better than anyone else I’ve ever fucked.
“Runes,” she whispers as her tongue comes out to lick at her bottom lip, fixating my gaze on her mouth. I can’t help but stare at her luscious lips, the ones I want wrapped around my cock. It can wait, though. First, I want to savor every inch of her delectable body.
In the house, I’ve at least talked Fern into not wearing long sleeves. “It’s just you, me, and Tor here. Be comfortable, and you know I think you’re beautiful.” I told her after we first moved in. Fern should be comfortable in her own home. Plus, we live in Florida, and it’s fuckin’ hot here.
“I want to be inside you,” I share. My eyes drop to her beautiful mouth, and her lips part. “Tell me you want the same thing. I want you again, Fern. Now that I’ve had a taste, I don’t wanna stop.” Everything I’m telling her is nothing but the truth. I thought giving her time to heal after the fire was the answer, but it fucked everything up. I should’ve been here with her the entire time. Maybe then she wouldn’t feel the way she does about herself.
“Runes,” she says breathlessly.
I grin, taking that as my answer.
Tilting my head to Fern’s, I capture her lips with mine. I slide my tongue into her mouth, spearing in to twine with hers.
Fern moans against my mouth and her hands cling to me, urging me on.