Page 193 of A Winding Wave of Magic
In other words, Jonathan had bought me some time with his excuses.
Time I hadn’t yet figured out how to use.
“Yeats is essential on every trip,” I informed him. “His wisdom is infinite.”
For that, I earned a hint of a smile, which was all I needed to open my book and narrate:
‘Put off that mask of burning gold
With emerald eyes.’
‘O no, my dear, you make so bold
To find if hearts be wild and wise,
And yet not cold.’
I looked up and grinned. “See? Put down the mask, Jonathan. Yeats says so.”
His green eyes glimmered. Then, as if he couldn’t help himself, he crossed the room in three long strides, took up my chin, and kissed me.
It lasted three seconds. And in those three seconds, I forgot where I was, lost in the calm peace that, for whatever reason, the sorcerer’s embrace seemed to bequeath.
Then he ended it and stepped away to adjust his glasses, and I was back in my own body, albeit substantially unmoored.
“What…what was that for?”
His smile turned sheepish. “Sorry.”
“You say that so much. Don’t be sorry. Just tell me why.”
A brow arched. “You’re very brave to be doing this. And you are magnetic when you read poetry.” His hand brushed my hip.Not to mention incredibly beautiful.
My mouth fell open at the compliment. Those emerald eyes were drawn to the motion, and he kissed me again. This time, I was ready for it.
Several more seconds later, we broke, breathing heavily.
“I’m really starting to hate it when you do that,” I told him.
Jonathan tipped his head with a smirk. “I forgot. You’re not sure you even like me.”
I shoved half-heartedly at his chest. “It’s very confusing.”
He chuckled. “Truer words. For what it’s worth, I feel the same way. I wish I could tell you I’ll stop completely, but as you see, I can’t. I’m a moth to the flame, eager to be singed.”
That was the problem. We were both fully aware of the consequences of our potential union and at the same time, unable to stay apart. Every kiss was playing with fire, and with each one, the flame was stoked just a little higher.
His nose touched mine. “We should talk about it some more.”
Now you want to talk?
His internal laughter was a shadow in the back of my mind.Wouldn’t mind. Now that I don’t have to hide the truth, it’s oddly liberating.
For some reason, his optimism about the situation irked me.
I sighed, biting back the urge to drag his mouth to mine all over again. “What else is there to say? We’re stuck in this limbo with lovely but ultimately unsatisfying kisses until, what, four years are up, and then we’re doomed to have a bunch of babies and die prematurely?” I shook my head. “I don’t even know if I want children, and I don’t think that’s what you want either.”
“Well, not right now, I suppose.” He didn’t look entirely convinced. In fact, the mention of children seemed to make him glow.
