“Still, I’m sorry if I hurt you,” I said as I gently rubbed her arm.
“I’m okay, really.”
I slid my hand down her arm to hold her hand. “Are you okay to keep walking?”
“Yeah, I’m good. That was nothing.”
“Okay then, let’s go.” I gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and we continued to walk hand in hand.
I felt like a teenager holding a girl’s hand for the first time. How could my dick be stirring just from this simple touch?
With our hands clasped, Juliette walked with a renewed energy to her step, looking around more to take in the sights without stopping. She was relaxed. Enjoying herself. And I was too. I don’t know if it was just because I was there with Juliette, her hand in mine, or if was because of her deep appreciation of the river with its surrounding buildings, a mix of modern and historic, just like the city itself, casting their reflections over the murky water, but I saw the beauty of it all in a way I never had before.
I wanted to hold her hand forever. I wanted to pound my chest like a caveman and bellow for the world to hear.Me man! You my woman! Me make you safe!
I pulled Juliette towards me to navigate around a kid who’d stopped suddenly to toss coins into the river.
She looked confused for a moment before smiling up at me. “Thanks for saving me again.”
“Baby, I’m happy to hold your hand and keep you safe from any danger.”
“Even if the biggest danger is myself?”
I stopped walking and turned to face Juliette.
“Yes, Juls. I can see the difference in you when you feel comfortable and confident, and I love that you feel that way with me. If ordering for you at the restaurant and keeping an eye out for zigzagging toddlers helps, then I’m happy to do it. And getting to hold your hand is just a bonus for me.”
Juliette smiled. “Your hand is the only one that makes me feel so safe.”
Simple honesty. I knew she felt like she didn’t say enough, but I loved her directness. She didn’t beat around the bush or use her words to manipulate.
I gave her hand a little tug and kept walking. The art village was just ahead.
I steered Juliette carefully out of the way as a couple of teenagers on bikes weaved through the crowd and asked her if she’d be interested in going for a bike ride with me.
“I’d go on a trail in one of the less crowded parks. A wide, paved trail, for a nice, easy ride.”
“Would you go kayaking?”
“Um, I would go in a double kayak with you. I wouldn’t go alone—I’d probably end up overboard or stuck—but if I was with you, I’d be free to just enjoy it.”
I pulled her to a stop to give her a quick, hard kiss. “You have no idea what it does to me to hear you say that.”
We continued walking and Juliette pulled my hand to go faster as we approached the colorful sea of tents and umbrellas that made up the arts village.
“These are amazing!”She was like a kid in a candy shop. She admired each piece of jewelry and praised the artists who were beaming back at her. I understood the look they were giving her; I felt the same way. Her fingers traced over an intricate gold and green design.
“That necklace would look beautiful on you,” I said. “Try it on.”
“Can you help me?”
Fuck yeah. She didn’t even hesitate to ask. “Of course.”
She turned around and pulled her curls up on top of her head. I couldn’t resist kissing her neck first, loving the way shemelted into me. I clasped the stained-glass necklace and turned her around to look.
“It was made for you. The colors bring out the gold in your eyes.” I held her face and traced her eyebrows with my thumbs, gazing into those beautiful eyes.
“Dylan,” she whispered.