Page 15 of Fallen Star

My heart flutters at the memory of the last time he and I sealed a deal.

“A handshake,” I say firmly. “You said deals can be sealed with a handshake.”

“A handshake isn’t what I’m offering,” he murmurs. “If you want to make this deal—which I know you do—then we’re sealing it with a kiss.”

My breath catches as his eyes drop to my lips. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m always serious about sealing deals.” His voice drops lower, and it’s like my feet are anchored to the ground, refusing to move. “Unless you’re scared?”

“Of kissing you?” I scoff, even as my heart races. “Please. I’ve already done that twice.”

“Then what’s once more?” He brushes his fingers across my cheek, sending fire running across my skin. “Other than something that will save Zoey’s life?”

My breaths grow shallow, and my body warms.

I hate how much I want this. How much I wanthim.

Even more—I hate how much he knows it.

“Fine,” I tell him, since every moment spent arguing is a moment Zoey doesn’t have. “But make it quick.”

“That’s something I won’t agree to,” he says, closing the distance between us in one swift moment.

It’s like the collision of two powerful forces, creating a surge of electricity that courses through my entire being, the world around us fading away as I melt into his touch.

The taste of him is intoxicating. It’s like a forbidden fruit I can’t resist. And as our mouths move in a desperate dance, his ice magic awakens, tingling against my skin, leaving a trail of frost in its wake.

Suddenly, he’s pushing me back, pinning me against the cave wall, making me lose all capabilities of rational thought.

A breeze stirs around us, but I don’t care. All I can think of is him. All I want ishim.

He pulls me closer, his body flush against mine, making it clear that he wants me, too.

But instead of pushing for more, he breaks the kiss, resting his forehead against mine. “Careful,” he warns. “Or you might end up giving me more than a kiss.”

“Not in your wildest dreams,” I say, and I’d back away, if it weren’t for the wall behind me.

“Do you want me to tell you my wildest dreams?” he asks, amused now. “Because I promise they’re wilder than your sweet summer mind could ever imagine.”

I want to say no, but I can’t.

“Do you ever stop?” I say instead, hating how my heart keeps racing, giving away how much he’s affecting my body.

“I’d prefer not to,” he says. “However, the deal is now sealed. Which means we have to get started on saving your friend’s life. And indulging in adistractionwouldn’t be the best I can do to help. Far from it given that the distraction I intend on giving you would last a long, long time.”

I stare at him for a long second as I take in what he said.

“Did you just try to compliment yourself and threaten me at the same time?” I finally say.

“I didn’t justtry,”he says with a smug smile. “Idid.And you’re shivering. I have an amulet of warmth for you in my pack. It should help.”

He doesn’t wait for me to accept. He just steps back, his movements calculated and smooth as he rummages through the huge pack of supplies he brought with him.

Ghost—who’s resting next to it—looks at me with eyes that might as well say,Riven’s always going to be Riven. There’s nothing either of us can do to change him.

I just shake my head at the huge snow leopard and press my fingers to my lips, willing the sensation of Riven’s magic and kiss to fade. But the tingling lingers, like a phantom touch I can’t shake.

Eventually, he pulls out an amulet like the one he gave Zoey, and turns back to me. “It won’t last forever,” he says. “But it should help you warm up.”

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