Page 20 of Enchanted Kisses
“Already planned to,” Caiden said. “And Lily? Don’t let me in unless you know it’s me.”
His warning didn’t make sense. The side door had a window and there was an outside light. How would I not know it was him?
“Seriously,” he cautioned. “Ask me something only I would know.”
“I’m not in the mood for games, Caiden. Just come to the door.”
“I’m not playing. You have to ask me something only I would know.” The graveness in his tone—and maybe my nervousness over the banging on my window—had me agreeing.
“I’ll try to think of something.” I pattered down the stairs and crossed the family room.
“Good. Thank you, Lily.”
“For what?”
“Giving me a chance to explain what happened when I left, and why I didn’t kiss you. There is so much to tell. I never wanted to hurt you. I have a lot of making up to do. But I can’t do it unless you give me the chance…so thank you.”
I held back a sigh. Caiden was always good with words. His wit, stories, and crazy confidence was what attracted me to him most. Now, he was coming over and with how I was feeling, I wasn’t sure I’d put up much of a fight.
I’d been determined not to forgive him unless he wrote me a few stories about us, weeded my butterfly garden, spent a day at the beach with me, and begged on bended knee for my forgiveness. All after confessing he’d been kidnapped by the KGB or INTERPOL and that was the reason he couldn’t send as much as a text to let me know he was alive.
In the garage, I inched past my dad’s truck and stopped at the side door. When I turned on the outside light, it flickered then dimmed but didn’t go out. There was just enough light for me to identify Caiden when he arrived.
Like I wouldn’t know it’s him.What was his deal?
A shadow passed outside the door.
I gasped and then laughed at myself. I really needed to calm down.
Soon a pair of bright-turquoise eyes stared through the window at me.
I smiled—I couldn’t help it—and gripped the door handle, anticipation curling in my stomach.
“Wait!” He pressed his hand to the glass pane. “Don’t.”
“Why? Did you see something by my window?” I tried to look beyond Caiden, but it was too dark. “Are you okay to be out there?”
“I’m fine to be out here, but I don’t want you to let me in until you know for sure it’s me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Clearly, it’s you.”
“It’s a good habit for you to learn, Lily.” He lowered his hand to his side. “Please promise you’ll never let me in unless you’re certain it’s me.”
This was ridiculous. But then, Caiden had always been a bit outlandish. I’d assumed it was his European upbringing.
“Fine.” I crossed my arms and tried to think. “Why did you reject me when I tried to kiss you?” I hadn’t planned to ask him that.
He stared at me for a moment, probably as surprised by my question as I was. “I’ll answer that after you let me in.”
“Why not now?” I stepped closer to the door and tipped my head back a little to maintain eye contact.
Caiden’s gaze lowered to my lips. “I wanted to… I still want to.”
“What makes you think I still want to kiss you?” My breath fogged the window as I spoke.
He pressed both hands to the glass pane, his eyes gleaming in the night. “Let me in and we’ll find out.” His stare was so intense, I forgot how to breathe.
I stepped back and filled my lungs with air. “I can’t.”
