Page 48 of Enchanted Kisses
I rolled my eyes. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”
He didn’t find my joke funny.
“What’s a half-goddess gotta do to get a laugh out of you?” I teased.
He spun on the bed and stood. “I should go.”
No! I wasn’t ready for him to leave.
I dove across the comforter and grabbed the back of his shirt. The cotton stretched until he bounced down onto the mattress.
“Don’t.” On my knees, I molded myself to his side. Any closer and he’d be wedged between my thighs.
“Don’t what?” He kept his profile to me. “What is it you want?”
“I want…”Not to be nervous around you. Not to be afraid to open up to you.
When I didn’t finish my sentence, he said, “At least tell me this…did you want me to kiss you a moment ago?”
I swallowed. This is what Raysa had meant when she warned me about lying to Caiden. “Did you want to kiss me?” I tried redirecting the question.
He shifted as if to stand.
I grabbed his arm. “Wait! If I asked you to stay, would you?”
He turned his head, again giving me his profile, his cheek close enough for me to kiss. “I would do anything you asked, Lily.”
“Have you ever said that to anyone before?” He couldn’t lie.
After a few quiet seconds, he said, “To one other person.”
“Was it a girl?”
“A woman.”
I swallowed a pain-filled sigh. “Did you love her?”
He looked forward. “I still do.”
Of course he did. And I was sure the girl who had his heart was some beautiful, all-powerful sentry. I hated her, and I didn’t even know her.Pathetic.
“You should spend tonight with her then.” I let go of his arm and, for some stupid reason, kissed his cheek. “Good night.” Maybe I’d meant it as a kiss good-bye.
A wave of gold rippled from his head to his feet. He shuddered and touched his cheek. “Do it again.”
“Again?”
“Yes. Please.” His voice was breathy, and he lowered his hand.
I leaned in, closed my eyes, and pretended it was his mouth I was about to kiss. I parted my lips and pressed them softly to his skin, lingering for a moment before pulling away.
He shivered and another wave of gold shot through his body. “Lily?” He sounded even more winded. “You’re doing it. You’re healing me.”
“Is that why you sound…out of breath? Am I hurting you?” I lifted my finger to his skin and brushed the area I’d kissed. Tiny sparks followed in a trail.
He stiffened. “Do you want me to stay? I should tell you, it wouldn’t be a good idea. Not after—” He closed his mouth as if to cut off his words—or was he about to tell a lie?
“Not after?” What couldn’t he say?
