Page 34 of Midnight Whispers

I nod. “It is.” Getting sick of the heavy weight in my heart, I push my chair back and stand. “Care to dance?”

Her eyes sparkle, and she nods. Let’s push that shit away for tonight.

She tracks me as I round the small table, going to the back of her chair and pulling it out. Then I extend a hand. She stands, and I lead her to the dance floor as a new song begins.

I take her hand and wrap my other arm around her small waist, tugging her into me, and we circle around the dance floor. I can’t look away from her as we move perfectly in sync.

Something feels vaguely familiar, but I can’t place why.

She moves effortlessly, and for the first time in a long time, I feel centered and whole with her in my arms. I’m starting to think this is more than just an obsession.

The song ends, and my present for her in my jacket pocket grows heavy. I brought it with me, but I wasn’t sure I should give it to her. I don’t want to come on too strong and scare her away. But I really want her to have it.

Another song starts and I pull back enough to look into her eyes. “I have a present for you.”

She blinks a couple of times. “I think this whole day was present enough.”

I shake my head. “Almost.” I let go of her and step back. “Turn around.”

Her forehead creases. “What for?”

I chuckle. “Do you want your present?”

She does as I ask, and I step closer to her, breathing in her jasmine and sandalwood scent. Reaching into the inside pocket of my jacket, I pull out a diamond necklace with a huge center sapphire that dangles down. With my free hand, I position her hair over one shoulder.

It would be so easy to lean forward and kiss the spot where her neck meets her shoulder, to taste her skin. Somehow, I find the willpower to resist once again.

“Close your eyes,” I whisper in her ear, and her skin prickles with goosebumps.

I wind the necklace around her neck and attach it with the clasp, then walk around so I’m facing her again.

“You can open your eyes now.”

She does, slowly, and looks down, reaching up with her hand to hold the necklace so she can see it better. She gasps. “Oh my god!” Her gaze flies to mine. “This is too much. After everything you’ve already done… this is too much.”

“Nonsense. I want you to have it.”

“But it must be worth a fortune.” She shakes her head.

“So are you.” I cup her face. I step closer, gaze never wavering.

“Nero, thank you for the best birthday ever. Not because of all the things you’ve given me, but because of you. You make me feel as if I’m worth something, and I haven’t felt that way in a long time.”

Cinder pushes up on her tiptoes and brings her mouth to mine. I don’t know if she meant for it to be a chaste kiss or not, but the moment her lips touch mine, it devolves into something more primal.

My arms tug her close, and when I lick the seam of her lips, she opens for me, moaning into my mouth as our tongues slide together. Her hand pushes into my hair at the back of my head, and when my hard cock presses against the fabric of my pants, I slide my hand to her lower back and press her harder into me.

A needy sound slips out of her, and my willpower breaks, no longer able to hold back the instincts I’ve been denying. I need to know what she tastes like. I want to hear and watch her come when my face is pressed between her thighs.

I pull away from the kiss and smirk when I see the disappointment on her face. “Don’t worry, princess, we’re not done here. I have one last present to give you.”

I bend and pick her up, carrying her over to the table we just dined upon. Time for my second dessert. She doesn’t protest as I set her on her feet beside the table, then with one swipe of my arm, I send everything on the table crashing to the floor.

If Cinder’s disturbed by my show of aggression, she doesn’t show it.

I lift her by the waist, setting her on the edge of the table. “Lie down and spread your legs. I need to know what you taste like.”

Her eyelids lower, and she does what I ask without argument.

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