Page 81 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

My heart catches in my throat. “You…love me?”

“More each day.” Leaning in, he touches a kiss to the corner of my eye. “You drive my system mad, but I have never suffered so sweetly before in my short time of being alive. While I struggle against the gaping hollow of experiencing a world that seems to both be too much and too little, knowing you makes the torment worth it.”

My lip trembles. “Even though I like ketchup on my eggs?”

“Even though you somehow manage to enjoy the sensory—”He swears. “—that are eggs at all.” His hand locates my waist, settling there. “I find myself unable to condemn you for it. Even though what you did with that fry earlier will haunt me forever, I believe I’m still quite hopeless where loving you is concerned.”

“Xios—” I exhale. A horrible mix of attraction and fear riots inside me, turning my skin inside out.

“Shh…” He lets his eyes close. “I can feel you. I’m listening. It’s okay. I will never push anything that makes you feel unsafe.”

My soul shakes, but I force myself to lean in, to let my lips graze the softness of his.

He whispers a curse against my mouth, and his hand closes in my clothes, constricting the fabric against me.

My nerves flame, prickle,panic.

His hold loosens, but I grab his hand, cementing it in place.

“Zahra.” His eyes open. “Zahra, you’re shaking, snowflake. Let go.”

“No,” I croak. “I…” My breaths burn through my lungs. “I want this.”

Tender, he shakes his head. “You don’t. You’re conflicted.”

“Shut up. Stop looking inside me. Just listen to what I’m saying.” I drag his hand deeper against my body. “Don’t you want me, too?”

“More than I want to be alive.”

“Then just ignore whatever vibes I’m putting off and kiss me.” A tear falls down my cheek to catch on my trembling lip. “Please.”

He stops pulling away. Resting his forehead against mine, he says, “How badly do you want me to kiss you?”

“Really?” I grumble. “You’re going to make this a whole thing?”

He plants his palm, smoothing it up my waist.

My heart hammers,hurting.

“I love you,” he whispers. “I love you too much to touch youwhen you’re in pain.” Kissing my forehead, he says, “If, however, you want me badly enough, give me everything…and I’ll take your pain away before I engrave myself into every inch of your perfect, beautiful flesh.”

Mouth dry, I choke on my words. Fear constricts my throat, convincing me if I were to give himeverything, he wouldn’t want me anymore.

If he kneweverything, he wouldn’t treat me like this anymore.

Shoulders bunching, I turn my face away, and keep silent.

After all, how do you tell someone who wantseverything…that someone took it all from you many, many years ago?

Chapter 21

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From this knowledge I will never recover.

Xios

After putting Zahra’s leftover food away and cleaning out the dishes to return later this week, I see myself to my room and refrain from peeking into hers to check on her. Even from out here, the sensation of her unsteady emotions attacking her while she cradles Ash close beats against my body.

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