Page 147 of Charmed, I'm Sure
“Yeah, yeah. Just, uh… close your eyes.”
“Taylor, what’s going—”
Pulling his hands free, he cradled my face between his palms and slanted his mouth over mine.
My stomach flipped, heart hammering as his lips brushed against mine, slow and teasing. Each kiss sent heat curling low in my belly, embers stoked to life with every press, every pull, every soft exhale of his breath.
Food coma be damned, I wanted him to devour me.
I gripped his shirt at his waist, tugging him closer, deepening the kiss. But just as quickly as he started, he pulled away, resting his forehead against mine. His breath mingled with mine, warm and ragged in our shared space.
“Why’d you stop?” I panted, running my hands up his chest, twisting my fingers into the fabric there.
“Later, baby. I promise.” He was just as breathless as I was, his voice rough as he slid his hands down my arms, encircling my wrists as he gently pried my grip from his shirt. “One more surprise, and then I’m all yours.”
“Promise?”
“Promise. Now, close your eyes, sunshine.”
I searched his face once, twice, before finally sliding my eyes shut. My heart raced as every other sense sharpened in anticipation.
Step by step, I let him guide me forward, focusing on the steady cadence of his breath and the soft murmur of his voice as he navigated me around what I assumed was the living room furniture.
“Okay, stop here.”
“Can I open my eyes?” I asked tentatively.
“Not yet.”
Taylor exhaled slowly, then dropped my hands and breathed, “Illuminare.”
Wait. Illuminare?
Latin? Why was he speaking Latin…Wait. Why is he…?
Before I could ask, light flickered beyond my closed eyelids, and I sucked in a sharp breath at the same time Taylor let out a stunned exhale.
“Holy shit, it worked,” he muttered.
“Taylor, what the hell is going on?” My nerves spiked. Every second with my eyes shut felt like an eternity, and without his hands grounding me, anxiety clawed at my stomach.
The swirling kaleidoscope of butterflies settled as he clasped my hands again. Releasing a breath, he whispered, “Open your eyes, baby.”
It took a moment for my vision to adjust, but when it did…
The gasp that tore from my throat echoed in the quiet.
Holy. Shit.
My hands flew to my mouth, smothering the hiccupping breaths as my gaze swept over the room in a daze.
White candles littered the floor, side tables, and mantle, their flames flickering delicately, casting the room in a warm, golden glow.Twinkling lights draped behind the window sheers, soft and ethereal. Pink rose petals blanketed the floor.
Tears burned my eyes, slipping down my cheeks as I finally met Taylor’s gaze.
Sapphire blues shone with unshed emotion, tracking my every movement. He barely seemed to be breathing, waiting—watching—for my reaction.
I didn’t know how he expected me to say anything.
