I squeeze a bit of gel into my palm and step behind Blue.
When I place my hands on his shoulders, a shiver runs through me, along with a deep awareness of how small he is.
His shoulders and arms are so delicate and slight compared to mine that an intense wave of protectiveness washes over me, along with an almost overwhelming urge to keep him safe at any cost.
"You’re so small," I blurt out, even though I realize how incredibly cringeworthy it sounds.
"And in that small body, such a big spirit," I add quickly, trying to do him justice.
There’s a moment of silence, and I hear his heartbeat pick up slightly.
"Was Marcel like that too?" Blue asks suddenly, his voice a little strange.
"Yeah, Marcel was built a lot like you, I mean he is."
Another pause, like he’s thinking about it. I keep spreading the gel over his slim back in slow, gentle motions, my heart still trembling at the feel of his fragility. The sense of responsibility to keep this petite person safe feels stronger than anything else, almost… genetic.
"Is that a coincidence? Or do you like that type?"
"I definitely like it. My cousin Rain is with an omega who’s six-one. When I saw him for the first time, I gaped. The guy is very attractive, just really tall… too tall for my taste. It’s just not for me. I think a smaller build triggers something protective in me, like an instinct, this urge to shield someone that tiny…"
As I say it, my gaze and hands move over his pale shoulders, sliding down to his elbows.
"That’s always been my insecurity. How small I am."
"That doesn’t have to be the case anymore. To me, it’s actually a plus, something… I really dig."
While I rub in the lotion, my fingers occasionally brush over the places where his neck glands used to be. I catch myself slowing down, almost stopping, my fingertips tracing the faintly sunken skin left after their removal.
Blue goes still, tension rising in his body again.
To ease it, I slowly move my hands toward his collarbones, then slide down over his chest, brushing his pert nipples.
Blue exhales sharply, then turns to face me, and my hands fall away.
"I think the shoulders are enough. They’re the only part that will be above the water anyway," he says in a tone that is slightly challenging, watching me with narrowed eyes, something almost rebellious in his expression.
"Maybe you’d like me to do you too?" he offers, his voice lower.
No way I’m passing that up.
"Yeah, I burn easily."
I sit down on the padded edge near the life ring so he can actually reach my shoulders.
With the height difference between his five-three or close, and my six-six, it matters.
A moment later I feel the soft touch of his fingers on my skin, and a nearly orgasmic shiver shoots through me.
"Fuck," I mutter.
"All okay?"
"More than okay."
Seriously, his touch affects me way too strongly, and I just don’t understand why. I squeeze my eyes shut, my hands clenching into fists, but I can’t suppress my erection. I guess I’m beyond touch-starved, I’mtouch-crazyfor him.
His soft fingers rub the lotion into my skin in slow, gentle motions, and I fight my body hard, trembling like I have a fever, until I can’t take it anymore. I turn toward him in a quick movement, grab his waist, and pull his svelte body against mine.