Even If You Don't Mean It

Part 3

Sighing contentedly, you put your hand on his still panting chest and run your fingers through his sweat-dampened hair. It curls slightly around your fingers, and you like the way your feminine hand looks against his masculine chest. Slowly, his breathing evens out and he takes long, deep breaths.

"I could stay like this all day," Sy says, wistfully, and you hum to let him know you agree, "But, I should take a shower."

"I don't mind if you're a little sweaty," You kiss the still humid skin on his neck to prove it, "Your cuddles are nice."

Sy's head is tucked deep into your neck, his breath is hot and harsh against your cooling skin. He's mostly still, but occasionally his lips sweep over your skin so lightly that it could barely be called a kiss. When you hear him exhale with a moan, you quickly realise that he's not actually kissing you; he's yawning.

Sitting up straight, you catch him in the act, with his bearded mouth wide and his nose all scrunched up, looking as tired as a Grizzly bear ready to hibernate.

"You're tired!" you utter, as your fingers dive into his beard. You still can't tell if you like his facial hair. His ruggedness, an obvious display of machismo, is definitely a turn on and it feels so much better than you thought it would. On the other hand, you miss seeing his perfectly sculpted jaw and his dimpled chin. The beard makes him look older too, and no one except old men wear beards anymore. Maybe he'd look good with a goatee, lots of guys were wearing those recently.

"No, just getting used to the time zones again, that's all."

"What time did you get to bed last night?"

"Baby, I'm fine," Sy insists.

You consider arguing the point. You know how little sleep you got last night, and you assume Sy would have experienced something similar, not to mention the travelling he'd done all day. His eyes are a little red around the edges and he's blinking a lot. He reminds you of a kid who's trying to stay up to see Santa Clause, barely able to keep their eyes open, but insistent on not missing out.

"You want to take that shower now, Chewbacca?" you ask, giving Sy's beard a little tug. You climb off his tree trunk like thighs and collect your discarded clothes.

Sy stands, following you, and grabs hold of your hand with a raised eyebrow, "You don't like it?" he asks, bringing your hand to his chin and rubbing his whiskers on your palm. It tickles and you squirm. Smirking, he adds, "I didn't hear any complaints earlier."

Playfully you jerk your hand away with a giggle, "I'm not used to it is all. Never even kissed a guy with a beard before, let alone..." your face feels like it's on fire and your ears burn, "the other thing." Now that your blood has cooled, so has your confidence.

Sy keeps smirking as he gives you an amused look and bends to pick up his clothes, "Never been eaten out by a guy with a beard?"

Oh God! A jolt of energy tingles your spine and your core clenches. Shit, just hearing him say those words gets you worked up again.

You shake your head, "Never," you say softly.

"You liked it though, didn't ya?" Sy's smirk turns to a full grin, and his cheeks crease into dimples just above his beard. His eyes no longer seem tired, instead they shine with roguish intent, "It's alright, baby, you can tell me. It'll be our li'l secret."

You bite your lip. He is such a flirt, how had he hidden this side of himself all this time? Turning away from him you make your way down the short hallway.

"Of course I liked it," you say a little shyly, glancing behind you to make sure Sy is following, "You know I did! You just want to hear me say it, don't you?"