Page 61 of Enchanted Kisses
At some point, Caiden and I had switched positions. Now he lay on his back, with me on top of him. My cheek rested against his bare chest while I listened to his frantic heartbeat echo mine.
When my breathing slowed enough to speak, I lifted my head and frowned. “Why? I thought it was what you wanted.”
He brushed my hair to the middle of my back and hooked both his hands under my arms. He pulled me up for a kiss, then lowered me to his chest. “If only you knew how much. But last night was your first time with me. Your desire could have been induced by my curse.”
I hadn’t considered that, though I doubted it. I wanted Caiden long before there was magic thrumming between us.
“And,” he continued, “I want your vow first.”
I propped my chin on his firm pec. “Vow? What kind of vow, and why do you sound so serious?”
He gathered some of my hair into his hand, brought it to his nose, and inhaled. “Now that I’ve had a taste of you, I don’t want to share you.Ever.I want you to belong to me according to our laws before consummating our relationship. It might sound selfish, but it’s how we do things when we find the one.”
“What do you mean,the one?” How we went from making out to talking about something that sounded a lot like marriage was beyond me.
“If you have to ask, then perhaps I haven’t made my intentions clear enough. I want you for eternity.”
I reined in the big, cheesy grin that threatened to spread across my face. “Eternity is longer than I’ll live for. Is this vow breakable? I’d hate for you to be bound to a dead girl for the rest of your long life,” I teased in an attempt to lighten the mood.
After having a taste of him, I wanted more, too. But I didn’t want him to promise things he didn’t mean. Maybe he was still caught up in the moment.
He stroked my hair, looking thoughtful. “Once we are together in all ways, you will become immortal, like me. I won’t be able to keep my powers from flowing into you.”
My cheeks blazed at the innuendo, although I didn’t think he meant it the way I took it.Geez, how dirty is my mind?“Permanently, or each time?” I asked.
He arched a smug brow. “Each time.”
“So, in a sense, abstinence keeps me mortal. What a convenient way to guarantee sex.” I sat up, oddly not shy about being topless. Of course, my hair fell to my waist and covered my chest.
He placed his hands behind his head, shirtless, sculpted, and beautiful. “It’s not about that for me. Not with you.”
“So you want to be with me, but you don’t want to sleep with me?” I glanced away, noticing the dimness of the room. My Tinkerbell clock showed 6:45 p.m. He’d arrived around 1:30 p.m., which meant we’d made out for about five hours. Was that normal?
In one quick move, he sat up and pulled me onto his lap so I straddled him. “I want both for the rest of my life.” He kissed me.
The next morning, I woke to an empty bed. I rubbed my eyes and racked my brain for what had happened before I had fallen asleep.
Embarrassment warmed my insides as the memories resurfaced. Caiden and I had another lengthy make-out session, doing things I never thought I’d be comfortable enough to do. I thought for sure, we’ddo itthat time and, believe me, I wanted to. But I wasn’t about to beg.
It seemed like we’d just fallen asleep and probably had, so where could he have gone? I tried to ignore the thoughts crowding my mind and speeding my pulse. Was I lame at foreplay—too inexperienced for him? Or had he gotten what he wanted and left? But that wouldn’t make sense because we didn’t have sex.
Part of me wanted to run from the room and search the house for him. Another part didn’t want to leave the bed only to find out he’d actually left me. I rolled over and read the time. 8:30 a.m.
I sat up and scanned the floor for my robe. I spotted it draped over the chair at my desk. I should at least get up to brush my teeth. On the way to the bathroom, I pulled my robe over my naked body.
After brushing my teeth, I splashed cold water on my face and felt around for a towel. One met my hand. I blotted my skin dry, then caught Caiden’s reflection in the mirror.
“Morning, beautiful.” He looked fresh, polished, and gorgeous.
He’d changed his clothes and wore black jeans and a black fitted tee. It accentuated his golden skin, caramel hair, and turquoise eyes. But all I could think was,When did he leave to change?
“Did you go home?” Did he see Bianca, and did she know where he was last night? Did she know about me and my relationship with him?
“It was a quick trip.” He grinned, studying my face and hair. “I like you best in the morning. Always have.” He lifted my chin and pressed a tender kiss to my lips.
I sighed, unable to help myself.
He lit up with a ridiculously smug grin. “Come see what I brought you.”
