Page 10 of A Troll in the Hay
Though an explanation is unnecessary, I wait a moment to see if she’ll tell me whattotally downmeans, as she has with other terms. This time, she doesn’t. A sign that we’re getting to know each other, I think.
“Nothing like that. There’s a swimming hole in the woods beyond my farm’s fields, near thehome where I grew up. It’s not large, just a few strokes to get from one side to the other, but the small size and shallow depth make the water temperature warmer than the lake, especially now that summer is over. That area is very private, though, and if the idea of being somewhere secluded makes you uneasy?—”
“It doesn’t. Not if you’re there with me. That probably makes me sound ridiculously naïve. No sensible woman would put full trust in a man she just met, especially when he’s twice her size and has the advantage of knowing the lay of the land. And I’m not usually like this. Actually, I’mneverlike this. Especially in past five years, since I’ve discovered that so many people are shitty at their core. But there’s something, something I can’t logically explain, that makes me sure I’m safe with you.”
This is the perfect opportunity to tell her about our bond. That we’re meant to be together. But I’d rather she discover that herself. “You can trust your feelings. I would never harm you in any way, nor allow anyone else to do so in my presence.”
“See, there you go, being sweet again, even though youclaimyou’re not entirely sweet.” Even in the dimming light, the twinkle in her eyes is unmistakable. “And that’s a subtle reminder—or not-so-subtle since I’m pointing it out—that I’m still waiting for your answers.”
Again, amusement rumbles within me. “Which would you like first? The reason I had no romantic attachments when you walked into my market store, or how I’m not entirely sweet?”
“Start with why you’re single. I have a feeling the other information is going to short-circuit my brain.”
If that’s all it does, I’ll count myself lucky. She might end our first date and decline to have another. But if we are to have more of these moments, if the chemistry between us leads to physical intimacy, she needs to know what that entails.
First, to explain my unattached status. “Trolls don’t have a need for social connection, and that includes dating for casual companionship, or for the purpose of selecting a mate.”
“What about for sex?” she asks before I can continue.
“We do, on occasion, engage in sexually gratifying activities with others. Perhaps less commonly than many species, though.”
“Because your solitary lifestyle means you encounter fewer people to possibly have sex with, I assume.”
“That is part of it. The other part will address the second answer you’re waiting for.” Knowing I’m about to discuss the intimate details of troll mating with her causes my cock to thicken, its solidity pressing into my thigh and its denim enclosure. “Male trolls are…large. Not an issue when coupling with female trolls, but other species sometimes find it…too much.”
Her bottom lip drops, her eyes opening wide, as if they might pop out of her face. “As in, it literally doesn’t fit?”
“To the best of my knowledge, male trolls will only experience arousal if intercourse is possible, though it may require preparation with smaller species.”
“Preparation,” she says slowly, as if each syllable of the word is a puzzle piece and she’s fitting them together. Then she gasps.
Her intimate perfume fills my nose, my head, and I can’t resist drawing a deep breath, pulling it into the back of my throat so I can almost taste her.
“There is more.”
“Tell me.” Her breathy tone is one I long to hear while pleasuring her.
“When coupling, especially while a female is in the fertile portion of her cycle, male trolls often enter a rut, making it nearly impossible to stop once coitus has begun. Females of another species may find it…intense.”
She just stares up at me, holding my gaze as we continue wading through water neither of us spares a glance.
“Perhaps I shouldn’t have shared those details on our first date.”
“But you did. Consciously or subconsciously, you must have wanted to tell me about troll sex, or you wouldn’t have made that earlier comment about not being entirely sweet that you knew would pique my curiosity. My guess is that you wanted to see how I’d react, if I’d be shocked, scared, and disgusted, or the opposite.” Her fingers squeeze mine, and she smiles. “Count me in for the opposite. But I do have questions.”
“I will answer without delay this time.”
“You know, I’m enjoying everything about our date, including the delays.”
“So am I.” I leave it at that, even though I’m temptedto steer the conversation in another direction, solely so she may tease me about doing so.
“Honest answers only, okay?” Just for a moment, her confident expression wavers, so quickly I might have missed it if not entirely engrossed in her every gesture.
“You have my word.”
Nodding, she takes a breath and pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, then releases both, along with a flurried, “Is this a sex date?”
“No,” I blurt, louder than normal or necessary.