Page 85 of Prince of Storms
Those were the words I wanted to say, to finally blurt out. But I couldn’t. They stuck in my throat like a bone that threatened to choke me. Why was it so difficult? She was right there, damn it! It should be easy to confess my feelings. So, what was holding me back?
“It’s just perfect,” I rumbled. “Like you.”
Her blush intensified, coming with a mumbled, “Thank you.”
“Would you care to dance?” I asked, steeling myself against possible rejection.
She wouldn’t have shown up looking like hoarded treasure if she didn’t want to dance with you.
“I’m not a great dancer,” she said awkwardly. “And in this … can we go slow?”
“Of course we can,” I assured her, stretching out a hand.
She took it, and I guided her to the center of the floor, where I gently twirled her around, sending the skirt swooshing in a wider circle while everyone watched her. Watchedher. My mate. All eyes were on the most beautiful woman in the room, as they should have been.
“Why is everyone watching me?” she asked as I stepped in, taking her waist in one hand and clasping her hand with the other.
“You’re the guest of honor,” I reminded her. “This isforyou.”
“You wereseriousabout that?” she gasped, following my lead with more ease than I’d expected from her words. I slowly swung her through a loop, twisting her under my arm and catching her waist, dipping her slightly.
“I’ve done my best to never lie to you,” I said, catching and holding her eyes as I said it.
She frowned. “Therewasthat whole thing about being a dragon.” Her frown deepened. “Is everyone here one? Did I just give it away?”
I laughed heartily. “You’re fine. Everyone here is a dragon, yes. You don’t have to worry. And technically, I did not lie. I never said I wasn’t one.”
“Omitting the truth isn’t that far off.”
“I put it in the same category as royalty. I didn’t tell you right away because I wanted you to know me for me. I never said I wasn’t. But when it came time for it, I didn’t hesitate to show you the truth either.”
“That’s fair,” she said, relaxing into the dance as I moved her around the floor with smooth precision, though we didn’t try to keep pace with any of the faster songs.
We were too wrapped up in our own world, focused on one another. Couples came and went around us, some stopping to say hi, but none lingering. They could sense that we needed our space, needed time to talk things out.
“Is there anything else you aren’t telling me? That you’re holding back on?” she asked. “Like, do you have a homicidal brother as well? What about any uncles? Can some of them change into other animals?”
“No, no, and to the best of my knowledge, also no. Rica and I are the only children. Everyone is sane, except her, unfortunately.” I tried not to tense when talking about my sister.
“In a way, it was reassuring to know you had some sort of drama in your life,” she said as I twisted her around, pulling her back against me.
“How so?” I said, trying not to let the press of her body send distracting signals through my mind.
“You would betooperfect otherwise,” she said with a blush. “It’s a shame your sister had to be dealt with so harshly, but … it makes you a little bit more human to me to have had some sort of skeleton in your closet. I hope you aren’t insulted by that.”
“Not at all,” I chuckled, leaning my head down next to hers. “Though I wouldn’t have minded being perfect for you.”
She shivered as I whispered those words into her ear, brushing her cheek with my lips.
“Tor …”
I turned her around, then pulled her in tight, dipping my head to hers, and kissed her. She stiffened at first but then relaxed, melding her body into mine as best as possible. The height difference was lessened with her heels but still significant. I nearly picked her up, but I didn’t want to ruin her dress, so I refrained.
The kiss lingered, a time of reconnecting and emphasis. I put the turbulence of my emotions into it, letting her know I was there for her. That I wouldalwaysbe there for her. In public or not.
When we broke apart, we were both breathing a little more heavily. I was acutely aware of her body, her scent, heraura. It inflamed me, building the storm of emotions into a swirling maelstrom at my center that broke free across my defenses, overwhelming me with her entire being.
“I need you,” I growled. “Right now.”
