Drider Boyfriend: Kerekes 2 (special preview)

My parents reacted strangely to the news that the Tulgey Wood Driders had moved into the Gander estate. My mom was unusually quiet with the news, and my dad was trying to keep any and all information about our new neighbors away from her. He was willing to listen to his father, but that was about all he wanted to do.

I had been meeting regularly with Kerekes, although it was something I wasn’t even sharing with my grandfather. Oh yes, I told him I talked to Kerekes often, but I was leaving out quite a few details. For you see, during all this time, Kerekes and I had gotten close. Very close. I have been charmed by Kerekes, he has moved my heart, my soul, and my mind. Our meetings happen in secret, sometimes when I take out the calves, other times when I sneak from my bed to meet him by the Tuffet tree. The more I got to know Kerekes, the more I became enamored with him. Things about him that seemed frightening before became beautiful to me. The color of his body, his eyes, even the pincers on his face. At first, I thought my feelings were one sided. After all, we came from two very different worlds, and he was the leader of his clan. I was just a simple milkmaid. I had to remind myself he had more important things on his mind besides romance or silly milkmaids with a crush.

Kerekes was trying his hardest to take care of his people, to rebuild something around them to make them feel safe. He was focused on this goal, but to my surprise, there was something that made his mind wander from time to time.

“Meeting with you has given me a small bit of respite in these trying times,” he confessed to me. “I look forward to seeing you, to speaking with you. It gives me a chance to let go and breathe.”

“I’m glad I can help you in some way. I feel I haven’t been able to make a dent in my parents’ minds. I am trying though.” Kerekes placed his hand over mine, and compared to his, my hand was so small and chubby. Kerekes took my hand then, lifting it and placed a kiss upon it.

“I will show my affection regardless, as I cannot hide it anymore.” He kissed it again, touching against my wrist. I looked up at him, feeling my heart turn to feathered wings in my chest. “I hope this does not frighten you, but I must confess how fond I have become.” He touches my cheek and I swear I could almost fly. “I find myself thinking about you, longing for you. So I must tell you before my feelings verge onto our friendship and weigh it down.”

I took hold of his wrist, leaning my cheek into his palm. “My thoughts are often filled with you too,” I replied breathlessly. “But I never would have dreamed my own affections would be met.”

His smile was soft. “Then it is a mutual pining we have shared?”

I chuckled shyly. “I believe so.”

Ever since then, Kerekes and I have taken our stolen moments without fear. I have kissed him without a worry in the back of my mind. I have learned his body is like velvet and wherever I touch, he is soft. His hands tremble when he is excited, and I have grown to love this feeling when he touches me. I grow warmer with each meeting, and soon I feel we shall boil over if we are not careful.

It is a shame when I have to be reminded of Mr. Porgie’s existence. As I am informed over breakfast one day that he will be coming to the farm to visit.

“I can’t stand him,” Grandpa scoffs.

“He’s a friend of the family, hold your tongue!” My mother warns him. “He’s also quite fond of our little Quinn,” she says suggestively, making my guts churn. “We should be so lucky to have such a handsome and well off man interested in our little family.”

“Little?” Grandpa snaps. “She’s an adult. We’re all adults. Why are you using this word all of a sudden? This little man is lucky we have anything to do with him.”

“Calm down, Dad,” my father coaxes. “Mr. Porgie wants to visit, he wants to buy some more livestock and take a small vacation.”

Grandpa rolls his eyes then looks at me. “Sure he does.” He gives me a wink and goes back to eating his food. “So whose bright idea was it to invite him over?”