Page 83 of Enchanted Kisses
Indulging the pull I felt toward Caiden, I leaned away from Jorhan and toward him. A flirty smile played at my lips as I reached my arms out. “Hold me.”
Caiden smiled, though it didn’t touch his eyes, and took me from Jorhan’s arms. “That’ll be all, Jorhan.”
Caiden lifted me off my feet and carried me out a side door.
I locked my hands behind his neck. “Mmm, cotton candy.” My body tingled from his tight embrace, and I tilted my face close to his. “Why aren’t you kissing me?”
“As much as I love how relaxed you are at this moment, you would be angry with me later for taking advantage. I’m trying to do the honorable thing.”
He continued moving us from the manor to a dark part of the garden not decorated for the party.
“Because this isn’t how I really feel?” Desires stirred my insides, speeding my pulse and heart. I wanted to lose myself in the blissful emotions clouding my judgment.
“On the contrary. Delights of the sentries stimulate a person’s innermost desires.”
I giggled. Makes sense. Goes with everything else he’s told me.
He set me on my feet. He had to have put me on stairs because I was eye level with his glowing orbs.
I loosened my hold on his neck and looked around, barely able to see. “What is this?”
“A gazebo in the back garden near the maze.” He brushed my hair behind my shoulder, his fingers lingering on my collarbone.
“I’ve never been in a maze.” I searched for it as tiny kisses flittered across my skin from his soft touch. “Let’s run through it and get lost.”
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed my body to his. “I’d rather get lost in you.” The tip of his nose skimmed mine.
“I thought you were trying to be honorable.” I wanted his darker side to overrule his good intentions. I liked not feeling worried, nervous, or scared. Whatever the reason for my ease—magic-inspired or not—I wanted to revel in it and in him.
“I’ve been doing the right thing all night—watching you from a distance, restraining the urge to pummel every male sentry who looked at you with interest.”
I clasped my hands behind his neck, liking that we were almost the same height. “You’ve been watching me?”
“How could I not? You are utterly ravishing this evening. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
“And what about your intended? Is she ravishing?” I gazed around the dark garden. “Maybe she’s watching you?”
“Let her. Only one person has ever captured my heart. And you should know when I left my realm, I made sure all vows that tied me to her were severed. I no longer belong to her or anyone but you.”
He moved to my step.
I had to stretch my arms up to keep my hands clasped behind his neck. “Wait. I liked it when you were shorter.” I tried pushing him back down a step by jerking my body to the side.
Not budging, he laughed and lifted me to the center of the gazebo. “I want to dance with you.”
I met his gleaming eyes, unwilling and unable to refuse anything he said. “Do as you want. I’m yours to do with as you please.” I meant every word.
Twirling as if gliding across water, we danced to the faint hum of music in the distance. Overflowing with emotions of love, security, elation, and passion, I asked in a near-breathless voice for him to stop.
He did, sounding as winded as me.
I knew he felt as I did. I could tell by his glimmering skin and fluorescent eyes. “Caiden, kiss me. I vow to be yours forever. It’s not like I have a choice.”
He didn’t bend to my lips as I’d hoped. “You still think your love for me is forced.” He stiffened and set me on my feet before backing away. “My brother is good at what he does. He tricked you, the same as he did me. It’s how I ended up engaged to Bianca. She’s not bad; she’s confused. As was I. I’m trying to help her. I even gave her my talisman.”
The invisible band stretching from my heart to his pulled tight. I had to be near him, to lessen the tension. I stepped closer.
His arms didn’t open for me. Instead, he put his hands inside his pockets.
