Page 62 of Enchanted Kisses
In the kitchen, strewn across the counter, were a variety of pastries. They smelled warm and sweet. “Stopped off in Paris on my way back. Got them fresh from my favorite bakery. I thought about taking you there, but I didn’t want to wake you. You looked so peaceful.”
My jaw dropped. I glanced from the pastries to him and tried to think of what to say. How did you thank someone for bringing you pastries from Paris? It was amazing and way too much. How could I keep up?
Caiden didn’t miss my panic. “You don’t have to say anything.” He took my hand, sending a calm warmth up my arm and throughout my body.
“I’m sorry.” I relaxed. “I love it. I do. It’s just…I don’t know what you’re used to in a girlfriend. I mean, if that’s what I am to you.” He came back, which had to mean he was still interested.Ugh.I hated how uncertain I was about him now. I’d never been like this with him before he disappeared for three months.
“If you’re asking if I still want your vow, you can be certain I do. Nothing’s changed. Unlessyoufeel last night was a mistake.” His skin dulled.
How could he think I regretted what had happened between us? I’d never put myself out there like that with anyone before. He, of all people, knew that.
“It’s a big commitment,” I said. “How do you know I’mthe onefor you?”
Before our second make-out session, he’d told me a little about the vow he wanted. It was called the Vow of Keeps, and when two of our kind agreed to it, their hearts were bound together for the length of their existence. It was unbreakable and trumped all other vows. I was familiar with vows from Caiden’s stories, but I didn’t know a lot about them or how they worked.
At that thought, a dream I had last night emerged. Me and my imagined sex-kitten version of Bianca stood in a long hallway. She and Caiden had their arms wrapped around each other and were staring at me like I was crazy. I couldn’t remember what had happened before that moment, only that my heart ached with the worst feeling of betrayal.
Caiden touched my cheek. “I know exactly what I want. The question is, do you?”
I guess that was the question. I slanted my eyes toward the pastries.
Caiden’s hand moved to my back. “Pick one. I want to know if I’m right.”
I thought about choosing a pastry that wasn’t my favorite just to throw him off. I reached a hand toward the strawberry-and-cheese-filled croissant but then moved it to a scone with orange icing.
From behind, he kissed the top of my head. “Knew it.”
I set the scone down and turned around with a smirk. “You seem to know me better than I know myself. But there’s a lot I don’t know about you.”
“You know who I am now. The past is irrelevant.”
I understood what he meant. The past was in the past, but could I accept that and let it go? Especially knowing what I did about his ex-fiancée?
“Did you love Bianca?” I watched for signs of unease, him twitching or looking away.
He didn’t react at all, except to stare deeply into my eyes. “Never.”
It was the truth. I had to acknowledge that because he couldn’t lie. So then, why did I feel something was off? Was it because he hadn’t said he loved me? Did he love me? I couldn’t ask that.
“Why do you want my vow?”
“I told you.” He pulled me near and wrapped his arms around my waist.
I felt short, eye level with his pecs, and tilted my head to meet his gaze.
“I want you forever,” he said. “But I won’t force, trick, or influence your decision in any way. I want to know you love me when you vow to be mine. When it comes to you, it has to be all or nothing.”
He leaned me back and stretched his arm as if reaching for something. When he straightened us, my poetry book was in his hand. “Everything you need to know about vows is in here. Read about the Vow of Keeps and decide what you want.”
“Is there a time limit on this? You sound like you’re in a hurry.” Which only made me more nervous.
“Raysa wants me back at the manor. You’re to be a surprise for me tonight, and you know how she gets when she devises a plan.”
I rolled my eyes. Did I ever.
“My absence will give you time to make up your mind. The vow will also act as a protective spell, being that it overrules all other vows. No one will ever be able to take you away from me.”
That information stole all the romance from the offer. “So it’s more about keeping me safe?” I frowned and glanced to the side.
