Page 30 of Nanny for the Demon's Twins

I pause at the doorway, drinking in the sight of them. The light Karn's conjured casts dancing shadows across their peaceful faces, and my chest tightens with an emotion I'm still learning to name.

Karn's presence fills the hallway behind me, radiating warmth like a forge. When I turn, he's closer than I expected, those violet eyes fixed on mine with an intensity that steals my breath. The scar across his eyebrow catches the light as he tilts his head.

"Tea?" My voice comes out softer than intended. "I could use something warm before bed."

"Lead the way." His deep voice rumbles through the quiet hall.

In the kitchen, I busy myself with the kettle while he leans against the counter. The familiar routine helps steady my hands, but I can't shake my awareness of him - how his broad shoulders fill the space, the way his copper-red hair falls loose around his face now that he's not working.

"You're good with them." He breaks the comfortable silence. "Natural."

I focus on measuring the leaves, fighting the heat rising in my cheeks. "They make it easy." My fingers trace the edge of my sleeve. "Though I never thought I'd be..." The words catch. "That I would ever have children after..."

"Hey." His calloused fingers catch my chin, turning my face up. "The past doesn't define you."

The gentle touch from such powerful hands sends sparks through my skin. I've seen those same hands shape metal, lift the twins, protect his family. Now they're cradling my face like I'm something precious.

"The kettle's about to whistle," I murmur, but I don't step back.

His thumb traces my jawline. "Let it."

His eyes search mine, and I find myself swaying closer, drawn by the warmth radiating from his body. My heart pounds against my ribs as his fingers slide from my jaw into my hair, tender in a way that makes my chest ache.

"Tell me if you want me to stop," he whispers, his breath ghosting across my lips.

He's always gentle, always careful. I've seen him be fierce with others, I've seen a hint of the demon nature I fear. But it has never been turned against me, and although I have never been asked if I want something to stop — never listened to when I begged for it to — this time, I want nothing more than to keep going.

Want nothing more than him.

Instead of answering, I rise on my toes, closing the last breath of space between us. His lips brush mine, soft and questioning. The gentleness from such a powerful man undoes me. I melt into him, my hands finding purchase on his broad chest.

"Mira." My name falls from his mouth like a prayer.

Something wild and wanting unfurls in my chest. I slide my arms around his neck, pulling him down to me, needing him closer. His grip tightens in my hair as he deepens the kiss, and a small sound escapes me.

It's nothing like the empty touches I've known before, nothing like the way bile usually burns at the back of my throat with every press of a pair of lips - this burns, consuming me from the inside out in a delicious heat that I want more of. .

His other hand spans my lower back, pressing me against him until I can feel the solid wall of his chest through my dress. I trace the muscles of his shoulders, marveling at how perfectly I fit against him. His tongue sweeps across my bottom lip and I open for him, desire coursing through my veins like liquid fire.

"Gods, you're perfect," he growls against my mouth.

I arch into him, fingers tangling in his copper hair. Every brush of his lips, every stroke of his tongue sends sparks shooting down my spine. I never knew it could be like this - that I could want someone so much it hurts.

And as that snaps into place, so does the fear.

The kettle's sharp whistle pierces the air. We jump apart, breathing hard. My lips tingle, and my legs feel unsteady. Karn's violet eyes are dark with desire, his hair mussed where I grabbed it.

"Damn kettle," he mutters, running a hand over his face.

My chest heaves as I try to calm the racing heart in my chest as reality crashes back down on me. Fear and confusion pour through me. Karn must see it because he reaches for me, but I hold up my hand.

"I..." My voice trembles. "I should go to bed."

"Mira, wait." His violet eyes search my face, concern replacing the heat from moments ago. "We should talk about this."

I shake my head, wrapping my arms around myself. The brand on my wrist seems to burn beneath my sleeve, a reminder of everything I've survived. Everything I have to lose. "No- we-" I take in a deep breath and flash him a smile. "I don't want the tea anymore. I just... I need to think."

"You're running." His words hit like a physical blow, gentle despite their accuracy.

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