Page 65 of Smoke and Mirrors

There’s a buzz in the air, a spark, a fizz that’s making everything around me hyperaware as I stare out to the ocean. This would be super romantic if it were a date, but it’s not. We’re running from a government agency that’s trying to bring us in for possible torture for stuff I have no idea about.

How is that even slightly romantic?

The atmosphere is super quiet between us, and as Kace puts the bag and the blankets down, the tension is rolling off his muscles in waves. I know he’s hurting having the people he cares about hunting him down, trying to hunt us down.

The night is brisk and being up so high and on the coast, the chill factor is noticeable and is sending goosebumps along my skin as a shudder runs along my spine. A slow shiver covers my entire body, and I shake on the spot. Chewing on my bottom lip as my breathing becomes short and sharp, Kace moves in beside me. A charge fires off at the closeness of his proximity, making my hairs stand on end. He doesn’t say a word but slowly moves his arm out, wrapping it around me. His hand smooths up and down my arm in a comforting gesture, which warms me up as he presses the side of his toned body against mine. My core clenches with delight, and my breath catches at his touch. We don’t say anything as we stare out at the crashing waves, watching as they smash against the shore with my inner thoughts of his mouth slamming against mine racing through my brain.

“I’m sorry this is happening to you.” His deep voice breaks through the deafening silence.

I turn slightly to look at him, his face full of pain and hurt. “I’m sorry this is happening to you,” I reply.

He shakes his head. “I’m okay, I’m more concerned about you.”

“I’m fine. I guess I just don’t know what happens next.”

He turns, looking me straight in the eyes. His deep blue pools sinking right into my soul, making me want to melt into a puddle on the floor. A surge passes between us, making my breath catch as he tenses his muscles apparently feeling it too. We’re shifting again, moving with the force of the gravity that’s taking hold of us.

“Seems like it would have been a lot easier just to do your job,” I murmur.

His jaw tenses as the vein in his neck pulses and protrudes. “I’ve never been the one to take the easy way out.”

“Why do you risk your life to do this?”

His harsh stance softens, and his shoulders relax slightly. “Because I feel like I’m changing the world.”

Furrowing my brows, I curl up my lip. “But how is coming after innocent people changing the world?”

He stiffens again and shakes his head. “But they’re not innocent?”

“I am… how do you know the others weren’t, too?”

He pauses, his eyebrow lifting up deep in thought as his muscles stiffen completely again. “Shit! My whole life, my mission, everything could be a lie… not just you?”

Sighing, I cuddle into his side and bring my hand up to his face caressing his cheek to try and comfort him.

“Maybe I’ve let myself become content. I’ve never asked questions, and because of that, I’ve let the dark consume me. I am the darkness.”

I turn to him, looking deep into his eyes and half-smile. “Then let me be your light.”

He stares back at me as my hand continues to caress his cheek, and sparks fly off us in all directions heating up the cold night air. The chemistry between us is scorching, and I know there’s more between us than neighbors, there is more here than a protector and a target.

There’s more. We’re more.

I want… I need… more.

“Lily…” His voice is barely a murmur. The strain in his voice shows he’s trying to hold back but is struggling.

“Kace, let me be your home. Let me be the light you need to find your strength. Find your light in me.”

He clenches his eyes tight like he’s fighting an inward battle. I turn my body to his and run my hand from his cheek into the back of his hair, tugging it slightly as my other hand runs around his waist and up the back of his shirt, feeling the hard muscles of his back. A low, throaty growl echoes through the small confines of the lighthouse as I push my hips forward feeling his erection pressing through his jeans. He wants this, he just needs to surrender. They’re not going to find us, not tonight. It’s okay for him to stop being a protector and be a lover instead.

“Kace, look at me,” I demand.

His eyes flick open, and he stares right at me. His gaze is intense, full of want and need. I lean forward slowly pressing my lips to the edge of his mouth, not kissing his lips full-on but just the tips to tease. He groans and wraps his arms around my body holding me to him. His resolve, definitely weakening.

“Let go, Kace. They’re not coming tonight. Let go of the dark, come into the light with me.”

He groans as I press my lips to the edge of his mouth again, his hips rock into mine. Suddenly, his hand runs through my hair, gripping it, not tight but enough to maneuver my head. He pulls me back and forces his lips to mine. A slight smile creeps across my lips as I kiss him back, a tingle spreading through my body at the spark emanating from the intense kiss. His tongue dances with mine as I moan into his mouth while kissing him passionately. Being with Kace is all I’ve wanted for so long, and this feels completely natural and right.

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