Page 25 of These Dangerous Fates

Sterling sighs, but he stands, and he and Malakai leave to take care of business with Malakai’s dad.

“You okay?” Cade asks me after they leave.

“I don’t really have much of a choice but to be okay.” I refuse to meet his eyes. If I do he’ll see my answer for the lie it is.

“Not true,” he says. “It’s okay to not be okay. This is not an ideal situation.”

He scoots closer to me and places his free hand on my cheek, turning my head so I’m looking at him. In the lamplight, his purple eyes glitter, and my stomach flip-flops at the intensity of his gaze and his touch on my cheek. I welcome it. For the first time in years, I welcome a man’s touch.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he whispers.

“Why?” I ask, desperate for answers. “Why promise to keep me safe? It would be easier and safer for you guys to just wash your hands of this whole thing.”

He shrugs one shoulder, keeping his hand on my cheek. “We’re not quitters. And we would never leave someone in a situation like this when we can help. Especially not you.”

I want to ask ‘why’ again. Why do they care so much about someone they don’t even know? But my questions are forgotten as Cade leans in and presses his lips against mine. It’s just as gentle of a kiss as the first one we shared, and just as life altering. I’m torn in two different directions: pull away or lean in. Tell him to stop or ask for more. I want more, I really do, but I’m terrified. What if it drags up memories I want to forget? What if I can’t get past the dread and fear?

He pulls back and his eyes search mine. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Don’t be sorry,” I whisper. “I …” I can’t continue. The words get stuck in my throat. I want to ask him to kiss me again, but how do I tell him the thought of a man touching me is paralyzing?

“Ellis,” he whispers back. His gaze seems to peer directly into my soul. It’s so intense it makes me feel as if I’m sitting naked before him. “When was the last time someone touched you without hurting you?”

I can’t answer him. The words are too heavy to drag forth, and I’m scared I’ll start crying if I force them out. I don’t want to cry right now. The bed dips as he shifts so he’s facing me fully. With slow and controlled movements, he lifts his other hand to frame my face in his strong, but gentle, grasp, and he leans closer.

“Let me make you feel good.” He rasps, his gaze searching mine. “Please, Ellis. Let me do that for you. I want …”

I’m positive I’m not breathing. How could I be when he asks me with such desire burning in his violet eyes and ringing in his words? It’s almost contagious. The butterflies swoop low in my stomach and the throbbing builds in my core.

I suck in a shuddering breath, and his scent hits me. Lilacs and cedar, nothing like sandalwood. Something in me calms at the realization. I stare into his eyes and see nothing but his pleading with me to trust him. Jerkily, I nod my head, fighting the urge to run.

His shoulders lose their tension, and one hand slides from my cheek into my hair to cup the back of my neck. My heart is pounding so fast I’m positive it’s going to beat right out of my chest as he leans forward, his breath fanning across my mouth.

“Just say the word, Ellis. Tell me to stop, and I will.” His lips are inches from mine as he speaks. “No questions asked.”

I give another jerky nod, and that’s all he needs to close the distance between us. The kiss rings throughout my entire body. My skin tingles. My heart races. The butterflies in my stomach erupt into furious flight. Fire flares to life inside me, heating me and making me melt under Cade’s touch.

He pulls away, eyes glowing and swirling with his magic. “Was that okay?” he breathes.

I swallow. Was it okay? My body is telling me yes, and it wants more. My brain is still not sure about all of it. “Yes?” I reply.

He smiles. I really fucking love that smile. It’s so sweet and gentle, and it puts me at ease.

“Yes,” I say more confidently.

“Can I … can I kiss you again?”

This time, I don’t hesitate. “Yes.”

Ellis

This kiss is still gentle, but there is something more to it. More need. More desire. I don’t realize my hand has moved until the fabric of his shirt is clenched in my fist. The hand in my hair gently tugs the strands and tips my head back as Cade deepens the kiss. His lips part mine, and his tongue slides in to brush against my own. Those butterflies I thought had died come to life in full force. Swooping and fluttering so fiercely my whole body tingles.

When I gasp against his mouth, he starts to pull away. But I don’t want him to stop. I want to drown in him. So, I wrap my arms around his neck and keep him there, desperately hoping he can wash away all the pain and fear I live with every day of my life.

His free hand settles on my waist, and a small noise climbs up my throat as his hand slips under my shirt. His skin against mine, his calluses scraping against my flesh, is too all-encompassing. My body is burning. My heart beats a frantic rhythm, and my brain tries to keep up with what is happening. Someone is touching me and it doesn’t hurt. No, not just someone. Cade. Cade is touching me, and I love the way he makes every nerve in my body light up.

He tastes like mint, and his scent is all around me. I’m dizzy from all the sensations—sensations I haven’t experienced in so long. A gentle touch, a burning kiss. It suddenly isn’t enough.

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