POV: Lyra
I took my time walking around the largest acacia tree, captivated by the number of freesias between my feet and stretching before me. I leaned against the largest tree trunk and was rooted to the ground even when Orion's tall figure approached me from behind.
One of his hands reached for my abdomen and the other for my arm. He took in my scent from my neck before whispering into my ear, "I come here when I need to get away for a while. From everything."
I turned my head and my eyes met his as I asked, "Since when?"
He smiled at the memory. "Since forever. Whenever I need a break from what I am, what I have to do and who I have to be, I come here for some quiet time... and to just be by myself. Away from all pressure and expectations. I did come here more often after my parents and I stopped seeing eye to eye. There's something about this place that just makes it welcoming... and soothing."
"I feel it too." I took a breath of air filled with the scent of the freesias before asking, "Does Christian come here with you sometimes?"
Orion shook his head and rested his chin on my shoulder before looking up into my eyes. "He doesn't know about this place. I never told him or anyone else. It's my escape from everything and everyone so I keep it a secret."
I felt a tug in my heart, a tug towards him. He brought me to a place where no one else in his life knew about. I was so touched and surprised that I didn't know what to say.
Orion saw the surprise in my eyes, and he chuckled lightly before holding my hand and sitting himself on the ground, his back leaning against the tree. He then patted his lap, motioning me to sit there as he looked up at me in hopefulness and anticipation. I returned his smile as I sat sideways on his lap. Orion held me close to his chest and kissed my temple before he started stroking my arm in slow motions.
I returned my sights to the field before us. That was when Orion said, "I don't believe it's a coincidence, you know?" I looked at him in confusion so he continued to explain as his beguiling eyes fixed on my multifaceted ones. "What are the odds that the place I seek refuge from all these cycles is filled with nothing but freesia, and then I'm bonded to a match named Lyra Ash?"
I was surprised by this revelation. I didn't make the connection to my name. These were always my favorite flower because of the colors and scents but I didn't connect the field before me to myself. When I continued to look at him, my attention suddenly went to the tree we were under.
I smiled to myself and muttered rhetorically, "And what are the odds that all these freesia are surrounded by a forest of acacia trees?"
Orion's smile fell as jealousy and insecurity swam in his eyes, making him hold me closer as he asked, "What do you mean? You know someone who's named after these trees?"
"No, but I do know someone who smells like them."
"Who?" Orion asked in a homicidal tone, eyes already filled with insecurity and jealousy, his pathways darkening.
When Orion's purple eyes started to develop black shades, I chuckled and said, "It's you, Orion. You smell like these trees. How can you not know that? It's your scent!"
The black disappeared from his eyes, and he tickled my waist as he muttered, "Little rascal." After being satisfied with my color changes and giggles, he stopped his assault and held me closer to take in my scent again. He never noticed the trees surrounding the flowers. He only saw the colorful field, nothing else, which made sense. Whenever I was around, he only saw me, nothing and no one else.
He then said, "You know, if these freesias can let these acacias surround them and protect them, you can too. You can let me protect you. You don't have to be so strong for everyone all the time."
I smiled shyly as I leaned into his warm, hard chest. "I'm not a flower in the field, Orion."
He kissed my hair before declaring, "That's right. You're my flower." I looked up at him before he continued, "And I'm your acacia forest, my little freesia."
I reached for his cheek and my thumb caressed it as I whispered, "Thank you, Orion."
His hand went for my nape, supporting it as he inched his head to one side before closing his eyes and pressing his lips on mine. My lips responded instantly. When Orion got my lips to part, he deepened the kiss and his tongue stroked the inside of my mouth.
Orion moaned in approval as the scent of his arousal started filling the air around us. His free hand ran along my arm, giving slow, gentle squeezes down its entire length.
When I was out of breath, Orion continued kissing my cheek, jawline and neck. I let out a soft moan, and the scent of my arousal was beginning to get noticeable. Orion's hands traced the side of my upper body before moving on to my thighs. I tilted my head to one side, giving him more access to my neck to continue his assault there. His free hand traced my ankle to my knee, stopping at the end of my thigh.
When I moaned again, he continued kissing me deeply at my neck as he mind-touched me, 'Oh, star-heart. I love hearing you moan like that.' His coquettish link made me moan yet again.
He gave my thigh slow, gentle squeezes to intensify my arousal as he linked, 'Mmm... keep'em coming, star-heart. Moan for me.' He began sucking my skin all around my neck.
"Orion... Oh... Orion." I gasped his name like I was in need of air. I already felt his hardened form against my bottom, and I myself was feeling a painful tug at my lower abdomen.
He smirked at my neck before pulling away to look at me in my dazed state. "Star-heart, if you keep saying my name like that, I can't promise that I won't lose control. Your moans are already powerful enough to drive me and my inner Lyrokan insane." Before giving me a chance to respond, he pressed his lips on mine again, with more lust than passion.
His hand continued squeezing my thighs in desperate need, moving up my garment until he reached my undergarment where he felt something that got him and his inner Lyrokan ecstatic and even more aroused.