Page 113 of Wild Fury (Fallen Royals 6)

I blow my nose and toss the tissue into the trash, managing to scowl. “I don’t like emotions.”

“Is that a more Amy thing to do?”

I glare at him. “I never cry. Ever.”

He nods and pulls me forward. “I know.” His arms wrap around me, binding us together. “You never hug, either.”

I relax into his hold. It’s been too long since anyone’s touched me. I was definitely not out looking for male companionship—in fact, I rebuked them on a regular basis. I guess I was attractive when I wasn’t scowling, or when rumors of being Theo’s slut weren’t being spread around me.

He waits until I carefully wrap my arms around his torso and exhale.

“Lux?”

The name just hits different now.

I tip my head back and meet his eyes.

“I’m going to kiss you again.”

I nod, tensing. Icy fear takes root in my bones, and I brace myself for a letdown. For him to kiss me and freeze again, or flee. He could just be deluding himself about healing…

But then his lips are on mine, and my whole world narrows down to the two of us. His hand cups the back of my head, angling me, and all I can do is hold his biceps. This is a kiss. Better than when I dared him to kiss me. Infinitely better than the time I tried to kiss him in the woods.

Our mouths open, and his tongue slides across mine. It isn’t rough or possessive, but I feel claimed by him all the same. Tingling shoots like lightning under my skin, and it’s me who finally tears away.

“Wow,” I pant. My gaze is glued to our feet. “That was…”

He places his finger under my chin and lifts my head. “Decent.”

I part my lips. “What? You didn’t—?”

“We should practice some more,” he says. He silences any retort with his lips.

What feels like hours later, we break apart. He threads his fingers with mine and guides me to the kitchen.

“Sit,” he says. He spins me so my butt is against the counter, then lifts me as if I weigh nothing. He smirks at whatever expression I wear.

“Tell me about what you were up to. Please.”

He retrieves a pan from the cupboard, then ingredients from the fridge. My stomach growls at the thought of food. When’s the last time someone cooked for me? It’s been a long time. High school, maybe, at my grandparents’ house. When I moved back in with my parents, they tended to let me fend for myself. Maybe there was the random exception, but as a rule…

“I played football, searched for you, annoyed the shit out of my friends.” He shrugs and butters four slices of bread, setting two in the pan. “That’s about it.”

“No girls?” I slap my hand over my mouth. “Shit, forget I even asked.”

He rolls his eyes. “No girls.”

“…Ever?”

He pauses and meets my gaze. “Have you been with any guys?”

I straighten. “Never.”

He nods. “I’ve never been with any girls.”

Holy shit. He can’t be saying what I think he’s saying.

I’ve held my virginity close to the vest. Never talked about it with friends, certainly never divulged unnecessary information to my sister. But Theo is saying… pretty much the same thing? That he hasn’t had sex?

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