Rain's Apartment is on the seventh floor of the building that houses the Club in New Houston.
While the Iberian Lynx Clan of Hylarr has been here for just a few weeks, they've been working to make it their new home. Some had taken up apartments to share but the Clan Elders has each been given their own apartment. As one of those three, Rain had this apartment to himself.
It was a three bedroom with two bathrooms, a utility room, kitchen, small dining room,and a living room. The living room was decorated in soothing brown tones ranging from the dark chestnut suede of the couch and dark oak of the coffee table and end tables, to the warm pale tone of the sepia walls. The dining room carried the same color scheme.
Down the hall were the spare bedroom done up in shades of earthy greens, the office done in more earthy shades, the guest bathroom and utility room, and the master bedroom with attached bathroom.
The master bedroom is unique. The walls are painted to resemble a forest, dark browns at the bottom and mixed greens at the top and ceiling. The bed fits well with the theme, created with carved oak in a queen size with a plush mattress and bedding in different shades of brown.
On the bedside table is usually a book and a bowl of handmade mints.
Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 3:06 pm
Dalia Thail
Rain opened the door to his apartment and gestured for Raff to go in ahead of him, giving her a soft chuckle and a wry smile that made him even more good looking, "Pure myth. The whole invitation thing was simply good manners turned into a walking joke that got carried away," he explained as she moved ahead of him. He closed the door behind him and followed her into the living room then gestured to the couch.
"Have a seat. I'll be right back," he said simply before heading down the hall to his office. He collected a book and a box, considered them for a brief moment then pulled another book from his shelf and headed back to the living room.
He looked a little bit nervous as he offered it all to her then ran one hand over his hair as he explained, "One book is on vampires. The different types, life styles, basic biology, things to not do, stuff like that. The second one is on the Hylarr, but you'll have to be careful with that one. The box is some of the mints," he explained to her, hoping he was coming across as confident instead of a potentially lovesick idiot.
He was three hundred years old, for crying out loud, not twenty with his first crush... Not that he thought she'd be seriously interested in someone like him anyway...
He took in a deep breath to steady himself, taking in her scent in the process and barely stopping himself from purring. He reminded himself that she was out of his league in so many ways... No matter how attractive she was... Or how good she smelled... Or how intoxicating her bite was...
Ah, who was he kidding? He was falling hard and fast...
He just had to keep reminding himself that she wasn't meant for him....
He cleared his throat and remembered her request then, "If you'll follow me I'll show you where you can shower," he gestured to the hall behind him then led the way to the guest bathroom. While she was looking over the ocean themed room that was actually tastefully done instead of tacky, he went into the spare room to pull a pair of sleep pants and a tank top, both in a shade of dark red that wouldn't clash with her hair.
He offered the extra clothes then gestured over his shoulder, "Cassarria also managed to get a washer and dryer for each apartment so...."
Why did he hesitate there?! Gah! He was such an idiot right now!
This was.. new. Earlier this very night Raff had been kicking herself for acting on her feelings rather than respecting her common sense and yet, sitting on his couch with Frank's jacket on one side of her and a small pile of gifts on the other the woman had to admit just how unusual their situation was. She'd expected annoyance from him initially; Rain instead seemed downright shy under his casual act. His voice would tremble once in a while, barely a pitch higher and yet Raff couldn't help but notice the cadence as he spoke to her. Gently lifting the books and the case of mints she sat them gingerly down on Frank's jacket, ensuring she wouldn't leave the silly garment behind even as she weighed what he had told her. If she looked at this logically, not emotionally, there was a pattern to his behavior.. specifically, a show of difference between how he had acted with others and how he reacted to her. But what did she want to do with that information? That... Was where her emotions started getting a little unruly. It wasn't that she didn't understand what she felt, it was the fact that what she felt was entirely at odds with her situation and responsibilities. Marriage was, as it had been for her parents and all old-wealth families, a transactional event and lovers were typically a entertainment at best in high society. And yet .. Her own actions were easy enough to analyze as well now that she thought about it.. the real question was 'why?' she felt this way and then that would be swiftly followed by 'what did she want from him?'. The last question she asked herself as he lead her to the bathroom and, though distracted by her own thoughts, Raff did listen to him as he stumbled to a halt about the appliances in his home. He seemed at a loss, hesitating as if he'd surprised himself, and Raff couldn't help but appreciate the awkward charm of it as she accepted his offered nightclothes. " I think this attire of mine and Frank's coat could use a good wash, if you don't mind me staying for a while. I'll start a load when I get out. Thank you, for everything. If it isn't too much to ask.... Could I keep the books here to read when I visit?"
The smile that curved her lips was genuine, Raff's expression finally shifting from cautious to warm as the answer to her self-directed question presented itself. She was thinking about this like her father would.. when she should be thinking like her mother. This wasn't a work issue or a social dilemma this was.. simpler. Maybe not in practice but in theory at least. She just wanted him, or a chance to get to know him. Once awareness of her goal dawned Raff's natural habits kicked in with a vengeance. Asking to keep his gifts here had two benefits; It kept them safe from outsiders and it gave her a reason to return to his room casually, both of which would extend her time around the man to some degree. Holding her borrowed sleep clothes Raff gave him space to consider her request; The woman returning to the bathroom and gently shutting the door to take that desperately needed shower.
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Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 9:44 pm
Dalia Thail
Rain watched as she closed the door and couldn't help the grin that spread over his face.
She wanted to come back!
That thought was immediately followed by a dose of sheer shock.
She wanted to come back?!
Was it just for the books? Or did she actually want to spend time with him?
How did he NOT screw this up?
He calmed himself down firmly and headed for the living room where he paced for a few moments then decided to go make some tea. That much he could reliably do right now.
He pulled the tea tray he'd been able to bring with him, grateful for the family heirloom despite the weight it had added to his pack when they'd fled their home. It dated to the 18th or 19th century, he wasn't sure which. But it was one of the few from that era that was porcelain instead of silver.
His parents had taught him how to use it properly. Then they'd been killed... He'd raised his sister and taught her to use the tea set properly from the time that she was a small cub. It had been a bonding experience for them that he cherished to this day. The set would go to his sister when she found a mate.
He gave a small sigh as he poured the hot water over the tea leaves that Cassarria had ordered for him. As he carried the tray into the living room, the space was soon filling with the soothing scent of mint and roses. It was an unusual blend, he knew, but it was one that was special to him.
His mother had possessed a very special green thumb. She'd come up with the blend when he was still very young. Those days were cherished memories as well that he remembered each time he brewed this tea.
He set the tray on the coffee table and considered the seating briefly. No, moving a chair in would look bad and ruin the flow of the room. He knew how to serve tea from the couch easily enough. The lighting was fine as well.
He heard movement behind him and turned. But the sight of her in casual clothing with her hair wet had rendered him mute. His expression could only be described as dumbstruck.
His mother would have said that he'd been hit with the beauty-hammer, as she'd called it. His dark blue eyes just couldn't help but admire her as he stood there like an idiot.
And he was purring...
Wait... Had she said something? Did he miss her speaking to him and stand there staring at her like an idiot?
Well, she was looking at him a bit oddly...
"Umm... I, um ... I made tea... If that's okay," he managed to get that much out but still couldn't help but wonder if he sounded like a buffoon...
For the briefest of moments amusement flickered in the woman's gaze as she weighed how to best answer the male's words; Raff ultimately deciding on mercy rather than teasing Rain for his befuddled state." Tea sounds lovely, thank you."Raising the towel she'd borrowed from his bathroom she continued to massage the dark strands of her hair gently, drying the thick waves with a practiced ease as she repeated her comment from a moment earlier.. certain now her host hadn't heard her due to his lack of response. " I went ahead and loaded the laundry." It spoke volumes that Rain hadn't noticed her grabbing Frank's jacket from the sofa but then again... The man had seemed very focused on making the tea and Raff could only admire the dedication he'd shown in the act. It had been part of her etiquette lessons to learn from the tea sommelier her father hired and yet... Never once had she witnessed the woman who had trained her express even half of the joy Rain seemed to feel while he worked. Maybe that was why Raff herself hadn't taken a deeper interest in the subject growing up..
Sliding carefully onto the seat best suited to match Rain's tea set Raff let the towel drape over her shoulder absently, one bare foot slipping under her opposite thigh as the woman marveled at the sensation of wearing sleeping pants rather than her normal night gown. There was a freedom of movement she wasn't used to.. it was much more comfortable than the cargo pants she'd worn earlier.
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Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2024 1:27 am
Dalia Thail
Rain seemed to check back in after she moved around him to sit down and did his best to not let the fur on his cheeks puff up in embarrassment. In his defense, she was beautiful. In the other outfits he'd seen her in, she was still beautiful. But there was something different about this... Maybe it was because she was very obviously more comfortable like this. It seemed more intimate and unguarded.
He moved to the tea, serving it without adding more sugar because he'd already sweetened this blend just enough. Again, something his mother had taught him. Different blends needed different treatment to bring out the perfect notes of the tea without overwhelming it.
He passed her a cup then served himself and sat back in the chair across from her, "It's a blend my mother came up with. I've always enjoyed it but it meant more after..." his voice trailed off at the end, not wanting to talk about what happened to him back then. But the soothing notes of the tea would likely explain it better than his words could.
He cleared his throat and took a sip from his cup, letting the unique and subtle scents of roses and mint calm him down before offering a small smile, "The tea set was hers as well. She taught me to use it correctly and we enjoyed a many afternoons with it. Later, I taught my sister. We still have tea about once a week. But the blend is something my mother made me promise to keep for myself," he explained, hoping that he wasn't rambling like an idiot.
Honestly, this was one of the times that he missed his mother. Raising his sister had been difficult but he'd had the Clan to help him. Dealing with a woman he was attracted to but likely was out of his league? Yeah, he could have done with his mother's advice on this one...
He took another sip from his cup and concentrated on the flavors with the scents this time, enjoying the memories that came with it, "I still miss her. I could have used her help with raising my sister, but the Clan helped after she and my father were taken. My sister is currently staying with one of her teachers. Ruby mentioned something about cooking lessons combined with a prank on someone, so she's having fun. She only stays with me once a week now," he rambled a but more but there was no mistaking the emotions in his voice.
He obviously missed his parents and he genuinely cares about his sister. His tone when speaking about Ruby was amused and affectionate with a touch of pride. He had the same when he spoke about his mother but added a hint of sadness that spoke of coming to terms with that loss long ago.
He glanced up and found her looking at him but looked back down, "I wasn't sure if were able to eat so I wasn't sure about the shortbread cookies..." he changed the subject, not sure if he was sounding like an idiot or not...
" I... don't have an appetite anymore, but thank you." It was said softly, the lulling tone of her voice betraying none of the regret that clouded her heart at the knowledge that her snacking days were behind her. Raff had tried... Drinks, it seemed, were harmless enough in small doses. Food? Eating was a mistake she wouldn't try again. Inhaling the woman took a small sense of pleasure in the action, savoring the function despite lacking the need for it, and she pushed her thoughts of her condition away. Blessings were far more precious to count and difficult to hold, so for now.. Reaching down for her own cup Raff lifted it to her lips and sipped it lightly, allowing the scent to sooth her as she listened to his words and the swaying pitch in his voice. His sibling was precious to him, his memories treasures he shared cautiously.. It brought to mind a phrase her teacher said often yet never quite expressed emotionally. " .. In the small delights we share our memories are steeped, in the losses we endure we are stirred, and in the solace of our loved ones we are sweetened to balance the bitterness."
Setting her cup down upon its saucer Raff took obvious care to respect the heirloom, her motions elegant and measured to ensure her unusual strength didn't damage the delicate china. It was slowly getting better but.. she wouldn't risk harming something so priceless as she discussed such sentimental topics with the man. " Your sister is fortunate to have you; She may grow up but don't doubt you are just as precious to her as she sounds to be for you. For your parents.. I am sorry for your loss, Rain." At least one of her own parents, her mother, had been loving in her own way. Yes, most of her childhood had been spent taking care of the woman but Raff had witnessed how hard her mother had worked for her sake. Maybe it wasn't the conventional idea of love between a parent and child but.. Raff felt her loss all the same. Perhaps it was how genuine Rain himself was being but despite her own intentions Raff found lips moving on their own accord; Words she'd never thought to say aloud flowing slowly from her lips as sympathy lured her tongue. " I understand losing a mother, there are no words to sooth that ache.. But I believe yours would be proud of you." Her father had forbidden her to speak of her mother and even now, after his death, her mind shied away from that topic like a knee-jerk reflex.. but for once she fought the impulse to burry her memories with her mother for Rain's sake. Lifting her hand Raff pushed a damp lock of hair behind her ear, her fingers teasing the wet strands before absently finding the golden chain at her throat to stroke the metal in a self-soothing gesture. Grief wasn't why she'd shared these thoughts, it was to repay him for giving her that little amount of trust in telling her something so personal. So.. to liven the mood just a little she returned his attempt to shift the subject." ... It may not be as good as this tea, and you'll have to taste test it for me given my 'condition', but I do remember a recipe my mother used for Spaghetti when I was very little. If you don't mind being my guiny pig I'd love to cook it for you some time."
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Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2024 4:51 am
Dalia Thail
He gave her a smile that showed that he understood what her offer meant but addressed the kind words first, "Thank you. I'm sure she is proud of me and my sister. She was unfailingly kind and generous but," he paused there and had to give a soft laugh, "one certainly only made the mistake of getting her mad once. But my father regularly enjoyed calming her back down," he did enjoy the memories of his parents but he really only shared those with Ruby.
Raff was different for him. He wasn't sure why but he wanted to share those memories and a great deal more with her...
He looked up at saw her eyes as she touched her necklace and had to give her a small smile, "I'm very certain that your mother is just as proud of you," he said softly. But he knew better than to say more than that because he didn't want her to shut down on him. So he changed the subject.
"As for the spaghetti... I don't mind being a test subject for you. However, I should let you know spaghetti is my sister's favorite meal. If she finds out I'm learning a new recipe for it, she won't leave me alone until she gets to try it," he told her with plenty of humor in his voice.
He finally set his empty cup and saucer on the coffee table and shifted his position in the chair. Unfortunately that made the scratches on his leg pull a bit and he couldn't stop his wince.
"Ah... I actually forgot about that... I'd better take care of it before I open them again. I'll be right back. Go ahead and have another cup of tea," he said a bit bashfully as he got to his feet. The stretch on his inner thigh wouldn't make the scratches start bleeding again but it did pull uncomfortably. He needed to clean them to make sure they didn't get infected.
He gave her a soft smile before he headed down the small hallway to the master bedroom and pulled his first aid kit from the bench at the foot of the bed.
He lifted his leg and shifted the fur on his inner thigh so he could see how bad the damage was. It had scabbed over nicely but the three scratches did feel warm so he felt justified in giving it all a good scrub.
He got what he needed from the kit and took it into the bathroom. Thankfully he had what he needed at the sink so cleaning the scratches stung but wouldn't be a problem. He just hoped that the idiot female hadn't put any silver on her nails before scratching him. Not all shifters had the problem with silver and it had been a new trend lately to use metal dust in manicures. Cassarria had banned it from the employees but some of the customers were idiots.
Another good reason to give the scratches a thorough scrub before treating them.
Of course it didn't help that he kept getting distracted when his mind kept throwing the image of Raff sitting on his couch with her dark hair still wet and her hand touching that necklace that he guessed came from her mother... So it was taking him a bit longer than usual to clean and properly bandage it.
He did finally finish and looked at the white bandage wrapped around his thigh and frowned at it. He just gave a sigh of it and decided that he was simply grateful that he didn't have darker fur. While it did stand out, it could always be worse...
The soft ambient sounds of the building filled the space in Rain's absence, Raff dipping her head gently as he'd stepped away to attend to his woes, and yet even as his lingering scent soothed her worries the woman's mind carefully noted the discomforted expression that had marked his features before he'd left. Odd to think her heart could still squeeze... less so because of her condition and more so due to the nature of her upbringing. Empathy was a weakness, that wasn't just her bloodline's belief but rather the doctrine of their social circles. It felt so alien to sit and relax like this without calculating how vulnerable she'd be, and yet that man hadn't tried to guard his own pain.. The rustling of Rain's movements in his room jerked Raff from her thoughts of harsher settings, her senses returning to the comforting and homely setting of her host's living room as she realized her finger had been gently tracing the rim of her teacup. There was a large disparity between their worlds, no one could deny that, but frankly Raff had no intention of letting that stop her. If there was a gap then fine.. she just needed to build a bridge. Maybe it was selfish but Raff was never the type to wait for someone else to act. With natural grace Raff stood from her resting place, her mind settled and a faint sense of determination lightening her steps as she slipped into the bathroom to retrieve the best tool for her plan.
It was only a few moments later that she stood at the threshold of Rains bedroom, her left hand lifting to knock on his doorframe softly as she turned her sharp blue gaze towards his face calmly. She'd noticed the bandage, it would have been impossible not to, but... He had made it a point to come and attend to his wound privately so she would respect his choice by not fussing over it. For now, at least.. when he was more comfortable she'd press him for more details on just who had hurt him and what they had looked like. In her right hand, held deftly between her thumb and index finger, Raff lifted the man's own hairbrush up for him to see as she wiggled it lightheartedly. " I know I'm already asking for a lot but... would you mind braiding my hair? It is starting to dry and tangle a bit." Normally she would braid it herself, gently rubbing some product into the strands to ensure they remained healthy, and simply move on with her night.. but her goal wasn't to get ready for bed. Her goal was to see how comfortable he would be touching her and.. admittedly... how comfortable she would feel being touched by him. Hair was a safe point of contact.. and a small part of her wanted to feel the warmth he'd shared with her through touch the last time they had spoke. Such a silly thing to crave but..
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 7:00 am
Dalia Thail
I edited just a bit, hopefully it's easier to reply to.
Rain turned when she knocked and met her eyes, losing himself in them enough that he almost missed her softly spoken request.
Almost...
He looked at the brush then looked into her eyes again and gently took the brush with a small smile, "I'd be honored," he told her softly and gestured to the bench-chest at the foot of his bed, "Have a seat there," he said simply then followed her.
As she sat down, he moved behind her and started brushing her hair, silently grateful for all those years of taking care of his sisters' hair. Plenty of practice. His touch was gentle yet certain as he brushed her hair out then put in a french braid that wasn't too tight but would still hold if she slept in it.
He couldn't help purring softly as he worked. Being able to put his hands through her hair, stealing the odd caress of her skin at her neck and shoulders, knowing full well how much trust she was giving him by allowing him to stand behind her like this... He couldn't help but purr for her. It also allowed him to show her a gentler use of his claws as he moved them through her hair and along her scalp. He caught the goosebumps that the sensation raised but he didn't think it was an unpleasant one.
He admired her in so many ways. She was beautiful. Breathtakingly so. She was also strong. Not just physically, though she did have that advantage as a vampire. But she'd also showed her strength by surviving what she'd gone through and thriving after. She was a force to be reconned with in so many ways and he couldn't help but be blinded by her.
But he was trying to remember that she was out of his league...
Yes, he was a Clan Elder. Yes, he was much older than she was. Yes, he was powerful in his own right.
But he still couldn't help but wish for something he knew he couldn't have...
He finally moved into the bathroom to collect a tie for her braid. It was basically a leather strip but he deftly wrapped the end of the braid and tied it off with ease. Plenty of practice with that as well.
But as he released the braid he couldn't resist a deliberate brush of his fingers over the outline of her shoulder then cleared his throat and backed away from her, closing his hand as if to hold the sensation of the touch of her skin in his hand. He mentally shook his head and cleared his throat again, "All finished," he finally said softly and moved to put the brush in the bathroom.
While he was in there he put up his first aid kit and closed the leather bag before moving back into the bedroom, fully intending to put it in the chest-bench at the foot of the bed. But when he turned and saw her still sitting there, he momentarily lost his breath as his eyes moved over the curve of her neck and shoulder, the profile of her face as she turned her head.
Why did she have to be so beautiful and so strong? Why did she have to be so tempting to him?
Hylarr males always went for a strong female. They were slaves to their biology in that one and he freely admitted that he wasn't immune to it. They weren't passive lovers by any stretch but he'd already explained to her that their females made the decisions when it came to intimacy. Males never violated that right. It allowed for strong and confident females, respectful and protective males. She'd find his people to be a bit of a culture shock on some points.
But there was something else about her that made him want to pull her into his arms and just hold her while he purred for her...
He set the kit down nest to the sink and turned to look at her again as her eyes turned to look at him, making him clear his throat again, "I should go make some more tea..." he said softly and looked down, silently reminding himself that she was so far out of his league as to be on a different planet... There was no way she'd be interested... Right?
It was faint, barely a movement at all really, and yet the woman's features melted into a warm smile as her lips quirked up ever so slightly at his low purring. Physical contact in general, even when she was human, had been... Uncomfortable. It wasn't with him. Every gentle stroke of those claws didn't feel like a threat it felt like.. a promise? A soothing reassurance that despite just how deadly those claws were she had nothing to fear from them. When the male finished weaving the braid it was almost a shame to feel those fingers slip away but she let him escape, her head tilting to watch his movements quietly as she pondered just how to approach the topic teasing the back of her mind. This matter was resolved when Rain returned, his sheepish expression solidifying her decision to simply be direct. " You could make tea.." Raff agreed softly, shifting on her seat until she could neatly cross her legs at the knee and place her folded hands in her lap as she faced the male sincerely. " Or.." lifting one hand, palm up, Raff tilted her chin upward as she offered her alternative in a low purr of her own. " ... You could join me over here instead. I want to ask you something."
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 10:31 am
Dalia Thail
Rain swallowed at her invitation but still reached out to slowly slide his hand on hers. It was a sensual movement, starting with fingertips barely touching them sliding along them until their palms were touching. He left it like that for a moment, enjoying the feeling of her skin against his palm. The contact almost made him shiver. Almost. It was almost electric and felt fantastic.
He finally shifted his hand to simply holding her fingertips with his own then moved to sit next to her on the chest.
He adjusted his hand so that he was simply holding her hand, letting them rest on his knee without holding her captive.
He fixed his blue eyes on hers, feeling a mix of terrified, nervous, hopeful, and very turned on. But he kept it all contained out of habit.
"What do you want to ask me, Raff?" He asked, his baritone starting to deepen as his purr went deeper as well. Sitting this close to him, one would be able to feel that purr through his entire body. The deeper sound both soothing and stimulating.
His attention was certainly fixed on her, his eyes moving over her face but certainly fixating on her lips and eyes. He wanted to look at the rest of her, but this close it might be a bit creepy.
He didn't know if he wanted her to ask a serious question or ask if- He wasn't getting the signals mixed up, was he? Was she interested in letting him take her to bed? Was he an idiot for hoping that she wanted him? Gods, that sounded pathetic even in his head...
His eyes dipped to her lips again and wondered if she would at least let him kiss her. He pulled his attention back to her eyes and nearly got lost in them. She had the most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen....
" I do not have experience with relationships, at least not emotional ones." Flexing her fingers against his own Raff didn't look down or away while she explained her thoughts; The woman wasn't ashamed or embarrassed by her lack of familiarity with this topic. Instead it sounded like she was stating facts, analyzing her own position as she broached what she wanted from Rain.. because that was how her mind worked. She wanted him to understand what he would be agreeing to, because Raff knew exactly what her own personality was like. She was very much her father's daughter and she could be possessive of what she considered to be 'hers'. Blinking slowly Raff took a moment just to enjoy the sensation of his purring, the vibration soothing that little part of her that wanted to act more emotional than analytical, before her voice came again in a carefully neutral tone. " Where I come from.. Relationships are political, often in name only, and rife with stipulations. I don't... want that with you." Shaking her head Raff felt her fingers tighten on his, the slender lines of her brows knitting together in a small sign of reflection before she corrected herself. " I mean I don't want that kind of relationship with you. I want to trust you, and I want you to trust me. Not because of a contract or obligation but because I.."
For the first time the woman faltered. Not out of shyness, nor unease, but rather... Because she sincerely had to think about how to say what she felt. Emotions were... Tricky. Her gaze, which had slid to the side in thought, returned to his and the riot of emotions she found gleaming back at her from his stare earned a low laugh from the female. Not a mocking sound, far from it.... If anything seeing this male who seemed so much stronger and wiser than her ruffled made it easier for her to open up. " I like you. I don't know if it is fair to say it is love, this feeling is new to me. But I know that I want to try building a relationship with you.. if you will have me." Her question, phrased more as a statement out of habit, seemed confident. The way her grip on his hand tensed belied that sentiment, Raff was... Allowing herself to be vulnerable and it was difficult for her.
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 4:26 am
Dalia Thail
Rain had to smile at her. Not mockingly in any way. It was understanding and a touch of amusement, "Sweetheart... If you said you were in love with me this soon, I would very honestly be worried about your mental health. Like works for me. Like is enough to see where things go," he told her simply and honestly.
He raised his other hand and laid his fingers over her cheek, letting them slide back until he was fully cupping her cheek with his thumb gently moving over her cheekbone and silently marveling over the softness of her skin.
"I will admit that I like you too. You are beautiful, strong, have a surprising sense of humor when you choose to show it, and you are desirable enough to feature in my dreams. I've shared more with you than I have with anyone else. I haven't even told my sister about when I was taken," he started, simply letting the words happen as they came to him.
He adjusted his hand a little bit and let his thumb lightly trace her bottom lip, "I will also admit that I've been wondering if kissing you will be taste like your scent or if it will fall short like the pancakes I tried to make when I woke up today," he stopped there because he could feel the fur over his cheeks puffing up a bit in the Hylarr version of a blush.
In truth, he hadn't intended to admit that part... But he had become slightly addicted to her scent since meeting her... It was just that nothing else came close.
Even now, he found himself inhaling to scent it again: salted caramel with a subtle hint of vanilla and now a more subtle hint of cinnamon to it that he'd previously missed. Damn she smelled good...
He wanted to bury his face in her skin and smell nothing but her. Hell, he wanted to see if he could get that hint of cinnamon to bloom more by tasting her in other places.
Okay.... Time to get his mind out of the gutter...
He took in a deep breath, that didn't help him at all, and let his hand slide away from her cheek in a vain attempt to help him with his control. In all reality, it just made his shorts more uncomfortable. But he was trying...
He did close his hand around the ghost of feeling her skin in a vain attempt to keep it there as he lowered his hand, "I do want to offer you something I don't think you've had in a very long time: safe harbor. Here, this apartment, can be that for you. Here, you can explore whatever you want to, about me, about yourself, about any subject you wish. This place will always be safe for you. If you ever feel threatened, you can come here. I can even set up the other bedroom for you. I admit that I would prefer to have you in bed with me where I can hold you. But if you don't feel safe with that yet, I can understand. I do desire you, Serafina. But I have patience as well and will wait for more until you feel safe enough for it," he hoped he wasn't going too far, but he did want her to have one place that was safety for her.
"I haven't had a serious relationship since I was taken. I've been offered a few political bindings, but I've turned them down and let someone else take it. I didn't trust anyone else enough. I also didn't trust myself enough to have anyone else in bed with me while I was asleep. I do trust you. And I think I can give you something that will let you feel safe," he offered then stood up and pulled her up with him.
He moved around to the head of the bed and moved the pillow to show her the custom leather strap that went all around the mattress. It held eight sheaths for eight daggers. He pulled one and raised her hand to put it there and closed her fingers around the grip, letting her get the feel of it.
The Hylarr were legendary for their forging abilities. Particularly with weapons. He didn't want to admit it yet, but he'd already started designs for a set of daggers for her while he'd eaten those blasted pancakes. Her's would be lighter and more delicate in appearance, easier for her to conceal. But no less strong.
What she held in her hand now was beautiful steel with no silver in it at all. The blade had a subtle design of waves along the surface without hindering the aerodynamics if it had to be thrown. The grip was tightly wrapped with dark blue leather and ensured that that it would never slip.
"Even sleeping here with me, you would always have a defense. Even against me, if needed. The other bed has the same setup. I want you to feel safe here, Luv... Even against me if you need it," he said softly to her.
Of course, he didn't have to mention the dishes on both bedside tables that held the mints he kept on hand to stave off his nightmares...
He had another offer for her, but he wasn't certain about offering it just yet. He wanted to teach her how to fight. Not the formal education he was certain she'd received. No... He wanted to teach her how to defend herself with the strength, speed, and grace she now possessed. He wanted to teach her how to fight for her life. Not the formal training he knew her idiot father had given her. Rain wanted to teach her how Hylarr were taught.
That combined with the blades he'd designed for her... No one would ever make her feel helpless again...
But he would make that offer later.
For now, he was having to deal with a different issue...
Seeing her standing there with that dagger in her hand and her scent wrapping around him... Well... His shorts were now painfully tight...
He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to pull her in against him and see what she'd do with the blade. He wanted to -
No. Stop there. Bad Rain.
He mentally scolded himself before his mind went further.
Did she realize how much he admired her? Beautiful. Deadly. Graceful. Poised. Elegant. Witty. Potential hair-trigger on that barely contained temper. Sexy as sin. Eyes he easily drowned in. Intoxicating scent. Skin he never tired of touching...
Okay, time to stop again before irreparable damage was done to his favorite body part...
Should he take a step back and offer to make more tea again? That might be a safer direction. But...
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