Mara had barely entered the woman's changing room when I forced myself to stand, the cool air outside the water feeling like a shock against my heated skin. As I dried off and gathered my things, I couldn't help but wonder just how much of her actions were intentional, and how much of it was simply Mara being herself. Her flirtatious nature had always been apparent, but today, it seemed different, almost deliberate.
Once I was dressed and ready, I stepped out of the springs to find Mara waiting, she was already halfway into wrapping the new scarf she had found around her neck, and I couldn't help but notice how her cheeks were flushed from the warmth, her expression a little too pleased for my comfort.
"Feeling better?" she asked her tone light but with an edge that told me she was still aware of the tension we'd shared.
I nodded, trying to push past the awkwardness. "Yeah, much better. Thanks for the suggestion, it really does feel like I'm human again."
She stepped closer to me, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. "It's no trouble. I'm just glad we could share a little fun after all that shopping and... everything else." She let the words hang in the air, and I couldn't tell if she was toying with me.
I forced a smile, but inside I was still reeling from how close we had come, both physically and emotionally. "Yeah," I muttered. "Fun."
She looped her arm through mine, pulling me along as we made our way back to the inn. "Come on, let's get a drink. You've been so serious all day; I think you deserve a bit of relaxation. Maybe a little bit more fun?"
I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. Despite everything that had just happened, I couldn't deny the effect she had on me. But at the same time, there was a part of me that wanted to keep things light and not get too caught up in whatever this was between us. I wasn't ready for that, not yet. Everything I knew was coated in death and rebirth, and I couldn't imagine having to leave her as I too on a new host, or if she died, or any other multitude of scenarios.
When we returned to the inn, Mara wasted no time in finding a seat at the bar. She waved over the bartender with a casual flick of her wrist, her body bouncing in place as it often did, filled with excitement. I was thrilled to see her in such a mood, but the bouncing, good lord, the bouncing was a lot for me to take in. She didn't seem to own any bras, or maybe this world hadn't invented them. Either way, each time she bounced in place, I watched as her breasts lifted and fell, it was as intoxicating as the beer we were about to ingest.
"Two ales, please!" she chirped, not waiting for me to protest.
I took a seat next to her, still unsure of what to do with myself. I glanced over at Mara, who was already chatting with the bartender. I didn't know how she maintained this energy, but I also felt determined to make her life as easy as possible, so that she could continue being who she was. It wasn't my place to deny her these thrills, it wasn't my place to stifle her enthusiasm. If anything, I owed it to her to let her energy pour out into the room, to let everyone feel the same way she did.
The bartender slid two drinks toward us, and Mara immediately picked hers up, toasting it in my direction. "To relaxation, and to new friends," she said with a wink, taking a sip before I could respond.
I hesitated, but then lifted my glass, clinking it against hers. "To new friends."
As the night wore on, I found myself drinking more than I had intended. I want to add, that's saying something. I was honestly an alcoholic in my last life. I could down half a dozen beers of the highest IBV and still be ready for another. Mara was different though, she clearly hadn't been used to the quantity I was. With each drink, Mara became more animated, more flirtatious. Her laughter rang through the room, and her gestures grew more exaggerated, her hand occasionally brushing against mine or resting on my shoulder for just a moment too long. At first, I tried to keep my distance, but as the alcohol took its toll, I couldn't help but feel a little more comfortable, a little more relaxed around her.
Mara became enraptured by the booze easier than I did. Her gaze grew a little more intense, her body language a little more open. She leaned closer to me with each passing moment, her breath warm against my ear as she whispered, "You know, you're actually kind of charming when you let your guard down."
Her words were a little too sincere, and it hit me harder than I expected. Despite all my hesitations, despite everything I had been through, she was starting to break through the walls I had so carefully built.
But I wasn't sure I was ready for that, not yet. Not when the consequences of getting involved with her could lead to complications I wasn't prepared to face.
Still, as Mara laid a playful peck on my cheek, I melted in her presence. Her arms wrapped around my shoulders and drew me into an embrace, which inexorably caused her breasts to press against my chest, filling me with a warmth that no alcohol could produce.
Before I knew it, Mara was standing, swaying slightly on her feet. "I think I've had a little too much," she giggled, her voice a little slurred. She gave me an exaggerated pout. "Come on, Lucian. Help me to my room before I collapse on the floor, will you?"
I sighed inwardly but stood to help her nonetheless. I was a bit far gone as well, but even as we matched drinks, I held my rational thoughts. Mind you, they were a bit skewed as I peeked down her shirt several times. It was dirty, I know, and I didn't feel proud, but I certainly felt good. I had no intentions of taking advantage of her, I wasn't that kind of guy, but still, the booze worked its way into me. Even as we made our way toward the stairs, I grabbed another bottle of god knows what. The bartender gave me a thumbs up, having received the word of my generosity, and I replied with a few more silver on the bar, leaving me with 5 silver, 5 copper, and an extremely happy bartender. We made our way up the stairs, her arm wrapped around my waist for support, I could feel the warmth radiating from her body, the intoxicating scent of alcohol mingling with the delicate perfume she wore. It was a strange feeling, having her so close, yet I couldn't help but want to be there with her.
As we stumbled up the creaky stairs, Mara's steps grew increasingly unsteady. She clung to me tighter, her soft curves molding against my side with each step. At the top of the stairs, she paused, blinking rapidly as if trying to regain her bearings.
"Whoops!" she giggled, her words slurring slightly, "The room's spinning a bit. Hold me close, Lucian, okay?" Her eyes gazed up at me, pleading and trusting, even as they struggled to focus. I had looked into her eyes many times before, but only now did I realize they were so beautifully hazelnut, with flecks of forest green throughout them. I loved her eyes immediately and felt myself drawn into them.
I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her flush against me to steady her. My hand rested just above the curve of her rear, feeling the heat of her skin through the thin fabric of her dress. Mara's breath hitched slightly at the contact, and she pressed herself even closer.
We navigated the dimly lit hallway, Mara's bare feet padding softly on the wooden floor. She stumbled slightly, and I had to catch her, my hand gripping her hip. Mara giggled again, her fingers playing with the hair at the nape of my neck.
"You're so strong," she murmured, her words warm against my ear. "I feel so safe with you, Lucian." Her lips brushed against my earlobe, sending a shiver down my spine.
When we reached our room, she barely made it through the door before collapsing onto the bed, giggling uncontrollably. "See? You saved me, twice now, that makes us..." Her brows furrowed as try tried to calculate the debt we owed each other. "I dunno, but I owe you one Lucian!" she hiccuped and grinned, looking up at me with those wide, mischievous eyes, and I had to fight the urge to smile.
"Yeah, well, someone had to make sure you didn't fall over," I muttered, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Mara reached out, taking my hand and pulling me closer. "You're so nice to me, Lucian. I don't know what I'd do without you."
As she looked up at me with that look in her eyes, I knew I was dangerously close to making a decision I wasn't sure I was ready for. I looked down at her, sprawled onto the bed, her legs every which way, her arms across all the pillows, her gaze focused on me in an almost thirsty fashion. I could feel the heat from her cheeks, and the desire in her eyes as I sat there, swaying, trying to discern which one of the two women in the bed was the real Mara.
Mara reached up, grabbing my hand and tugging insistently. I stumbled backward, falling onto the bed beside her with more force than I intended. Mara giggled, the sound was high-pitched and tipsy.
She rolled onto her side, her body pressing against mine. Her hand crept up my chest, her fingers playing with the laces of my shirt. Mara's eyes, though unfocused, held an intensity as she gazed at me.
"You're so handsome," she murmured, her words slurred. "I like you, Lucian... I like you a lot." She leaned in closer, her lips a mere breath away from mine. I could feel the heat of her skin, the warmth of her breath mingling with my own.
My heart raced, my body burning with a need I had long suppressed. Mara's hand slid down to my waist, her fingers dipping teasingly beneath the waistband of my pants. I sucked in a sharp breath, my hips twitching involuntarily.
"Mara..." I breathed, my voice a low, warning growl. But even as I said her name, I knew I was teetering on the edge, ready to tumble into the abyss of desire that was Mara.
Mara's fingers traced idle patterns on my chest, her touch feather-light and teasing. She nuzzled into my neck, her lips brushing against my racing pulse. I could feel her breasts, soft and pillowy, pressing against my side with each shallow breath she took.
"Mmm, you smell nice," she murmured, her words warm and breathy against my skin. "Like... like pine and something spicy. It's a good smell. That bath did you wonders!" Mara's nose trailed up my jawline, her lips hovering a hairsbreadth away from mine.
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. Mara's eyes fluttered open, and she gazed at me with a drunken, hazy intensity. Her pupils were dilated, and the green flecks of her eyes stood brighter within the hazel irises, stunningly visible in the candlelit room. She licked her lips, her small pink tongue darting out to moisten them.
"Kiss–" I didn't let her complete her sentence as I gave in to temptation, capturing her lips with my own.
Mara sighed into the kiss, her lips soft and pliant beneath mine. She tasted of ale and sweetness, a combination that made my head spin. Her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me down onto her as she arched into me.
I deepened the kiss, my tongue delving into her mouth to tangle with her own. Mara met me eagerly, her tongue dancing and twining with mine. She tasted me back just as hungrily, her desire matching my own.
My hands slid down to her waist, gripping her hips as I settled myself between her parted thighs. Mara gasped into my mouth, her hips rolling up to meet mine. I could feel the heat of her core, even through our clothing, and it ignited a fire in my blood.
As our kiss grew more heated, Mara's hands began to roam freely across my back and shoulders. Her fingers curled into the fabric of my shirt, tugging impatiently as if eager to remove the barrier between us.
I felt Mara's legs wrap around my waist, her ankles locking at the small of my back. She used the leverage to grind her hips against mine, the heat of her core scorching my body as she pressed against me. Mara whimpered into my mouth, the sound muffled and needy.
My own hands slid down to grip her thighs, squeezing the soft, supple flesh. Mara's skin was warm and smooth, and I couldn't resist the urge to caress her, to feel more of her bare skin. I slipped my hands beneath the hem of her skirt, my fingers skimming along her ass and drawing a shudder from Mara's lips.
Mara broke the kiss with a gasp, her chest heaving and her cheeks flushed a deep, rosy hue. She gazed up at me, her lips kiss-swollen and glistening in the candlelight. A few strands of her yellow-gold hair clung to her damp forehead, framing her face like a halo.
"Touch me, Lucian," Mara breathed, her voice a desperate, drunken plea. "I need... I need you to touch me." She arched her back, pressing her ample breasts against my chest. The thin fabric of her shirt strained against her hardened nipples, the peaks visible through the material.
Mara's neediness had ignited a hunger within me that I could no longer deny. With a low growl, I slid my hands down her skirt, sliding down her ass, my fingers sliding against her wetness.
Mara gasped as my fingers graced her womanhood. She wasn't wearing any undergarments, something I hadn't noticed before, and I could feel the slick heat of her desire coating my fingers as I skimmed them along her opening.
"Please..." she whimpered, her voice a needy, breathless sound. "Don't stop, Lucian. I want... I need..." Her words trailed off.