Page 72 of An Empress of Air & Chaos

Why does he not just keep his stupid mouth shut?

Grudgingly, her mind flashed back to them dancing as she moved her hips to the sound of the beat. The music as intoxicating as his stare, as Torin pulled her in and then spun her out. Her heart, light like the strobes that pulsed down onto her face. The euphoric feeling of the crowd being as one.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” Gideon halted.

She realised her face had flushed with heat. A heat that was unnerving and untouched.

“If I offended you, I didn’t mean to. It was just a jo—”

“You didn’t offend me.” She offered him a fake smile. “I just really need to lay down. I am exhausted,” she lied, pulling away from him.

Gideon pulled her back gently with one hand and she staggered close—too close to his chest. “You don’t have to be embarrassed about what happened in La Luna.” His words shocked her. “I know you didn’t want anything to happen with Torin. He just got the better of me this morning, so don’t feel guilty.”

She inhaled, holding her breath.

“You’re beautiful,” Gideon admitted. “Of course he would try something with you, who wouldn’t?” He paused. “He likes a challenge.”

“I am not giving him a challenge.”

“I know. Don’t let him get into your head.” He squeezed her hand.

“I won’t,” she promised.

His gaze dropped down to her mouth. “I am afraid I must tell you another secret of mine.”

She laughed. “I am listening.”

“I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“Oh?” was all she could manage as the heat of his stare stilled her.

Neither could she.

She couldn’t help but feel inexplicably drawn to him, like she had known him her whole life. Like he had a way of soothing her. The energy between them was so natural, so organic.

“I never feel like this,” she whispered as a confession.

“Now I am worrying if that is a good thing or a bad thing,” he replied in a whisper.

“I don’t know yet.”

How could she answer that? She had just met him. She barely knew him at all.

How could she feel something inside of her shift in the space of a few days, but twelve new moons had passed with Taymir and she had felt nothing? The inner workings of the heart were the most complex thing to even try and understand.

But if she had learned anything from the demon attack at her home, it was that life was too short. And now? She felt something that she never had before.

A spark. That current of chemistry that flows from one person to another.

“I have wanted to kiss you for a while, and I have stopped myself because...” he paused, running a hand through his hair.

“Then maybe you should just do it.” She swallowed hard, waiting for him to make the next move.

Gideon reached up and weaved his hand behind her ear, pushing into the softness of her hair. Emara almost let a small moan slip from her mouth as he lowered his lips to her jawline. Pulling her closer to his mouth, he danced a few kisses along her jaw and down her neck. A roaring heat swept over her, causing her to be conscious of her feminine curves. He wrapped another strong arm around her waist and pulled her into his torso.

Gods, she couldn’t breathe as her chest flattened against his. She could feel his thick muscles tighten under his training gear as she moved her hands upwards. And then he found her mouth with his. He slowly parted her lips and gently pressed a kiss to hers. His lips were soft and warm, the kiss lingering. He pulled back from her and studied her face for a second. Desire burned in his eyes and then his lips slammed into hers. Like before, she embraced it, pushing her hands up over his arms, onto his neck and into his hair. She deepened the kiss, returning the fire as she rolled her tongue into his mouth.

“Emara,” he whispered against her open mouth.

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