Slight blood warning.
21. Gender Swap
Marin had nice hands, Adrienne decided, as she watched him hard at work at the sewing machine from where she lay sprawled over his chaise lounge. They were larger than hers, his fair skin enhancing the elegant bone structure. Long digits tapered into pink nails he always kept neatly trimmed back. They moved with an expert grace akin to a ballerina as his hands danced over the gleaming velveteen, slipping out of the needle's path as he hemmed the bodice the way he wanted. The bodice for her dress, the dress he was making for her, the one she would wear to the charity ball a fortnight from now.
"You know you shouldn't be in here," he said with an air of disapproval, interrupting her thoughts. Shooting her an accusing stare over one broad shoulder, he continued, "I told you, you're not allowed to see the dress until I'm done with it."
Pulling her features into an expression of mock hurt, she pouted. "But I like watching you work."
'And watching you in general,' she mentally added, biting her tongue to keep from saying it out loud.
Marin sighed, pointing to the trapdoor. "Out, kitty cat. I need to concentrate. I'll be done with this bit in a few minutes and we'll eat something together."
"Meanie," whined Adrienne, sticking her tongue out at his back even as she shuffled over to the trapdoor. She'd hardly raised it and put her foot on the first step when Marin let out a sharp hiss.
"What happened?" she demanded, letting the trapdoor crash back down as she dashed to his side, eyes wide. He was still seated in his chair, holding his left index finger inches from his nose as he pinched at the fingertip. A pinprick of red like a bead of liquid ruby appeared on his creamy skin.
"Nothing," he griped, popping the injured finger in his mouth. "Just a little prick, happens all the time. It'll go away in—H-hey! What are you doing?"
"Kissing it better," answered Adrienne simply, yanking his hand away from him with a mischievous smile.
"That's not sani—"
Adrienne pressed a light kiss to the injury, delighting in the way Marin's face glowed as red as the welt forming on his finger.
Yes, Marin really did have nice hands.