Page 50 of Fire Touched

For a little while, I hold my mate close while we spin and turn to the slow, soft music filling the hall. Everything else falls away, and for the first time in what feels like a long time, I am not worried or scared, I exist to be with this woman who makes me whole—to love her, cherish her, and keep her safe. My eyes snag on the various attires throughout the hall. And to respect her above and beyond anything.

What she wishes comes first.

After what seems an age, the music finally stops. I look up to realise the hall has mostly emptied. Pulling back, I catch the look in Katherine’s eyes, and I know she, too, had fallen into the comfortable daze between us. I lean down and press a hesitant kiss on her hairline. Her eyes flutter closed. I kiss her temple. Her cheek. I hook a finger under her chin. Hopeful.

Katherine tilts her head up to me, eyes bright and shining. A soft smile curves her lips as she reaches up, closing the distance between us, to press her lips to mine. At first, the kiss is brief. Soft. Barely there. Then her hands grasp my shoulders, and her lips come down on mine harder. Hungrily.

My heart swells. She’s missed me, too. I wind my arms around this most precious woman, and kiss her with everything I’ve got. My hands roam, finding her exposed—and beautiful—skin. Her back, up her arms, shoulders, her chest, her breasts—

Her breathing grows heavy. She pulls away slightly. I immediately still, but she’s smiling. ‘I believe we’re in public,’ she breathes, her lips slightly puffed from our kisses. Blush dots her cheeks.

My own blood is near-boiling. ‘We don’t have to be.’ I hold her closer to me.

Katherine smiles, eyes glittering with desire. ‘You planned a chat with the alpha. I heard you.’ She flattens her hands against my chest. I can feel her nails beneath my shirt which sends a shiver right through me. ‘I think you’ve kept him waiting long enough.’

With great disappointment, I set her down and take a step back.

She catches my hand, squeezing. ‘Killian. Thank you for the dance.’

I can’t help the grin that spreads over my face. ‘You’re most welcome.’ I don’t want to let go of her. We have three days left here, and there is much to do, to plan. But I won’t waste that time entirely with Earth Pack. I cup her cheek with my free hand. ‘Can I… can I take you to the beach?’

Her eyes shutter.

Oh, shit. I’m an idiot. She nearly drowned—

But she nods. She inhales deeply. ‘Yes.’

‘We don’t have to—’

She shakes her head. ‘No, I want to.’

I hold her close, cursing myself. ‘You don’t have to go in the water,’ I remind her. She breaks away, glaring up at me defiantly. ‘But, of course, you can if you want to.’

Katherine chuckles. ‘Will you bring coffee like last time?’

I smile down at her, feeling better than I have in days. ‘I’ll do you one better.’ I press my lips to hers one more time. ‘Meet me on the beach tomorrow night, an hour before sunset.’

Katherine nods, her cheeks still flushed.

I walk away from her, leaving a piece of me behind. I can fix things with Katherine. I know I can. I make a mental note. Dancing. It seemed too simple, but now I understand. The closeness, the intimacy. My face is sore from smiling when I pass Prescott twirling Ivy on the dancefloor, though there’s no longer any music playing. Prescott pats me on the back as we leave.

Ivy smiles up at me. ‘I told you, didn’t I?’

I grin at her, resisting the urge to hug her. ‘Yes, you did. I should—what do you like? Books?’

Ivy pauses. ‘I carve and paint. Would you—perhaps one day you could find me a new chisel?’

My gaze meets Prescott’s over her head. ‘I can do that.’

Chapter Twenty-Six

Killian

Today has been long and it isn’t over yet. I pause in Verron’s office, grasping the back of the armchair opposite his desk. He sent Prescott and Ivy home. This is between him and me.

I’m too nervous to sit. How do I bring this up without offending or upsetting him? I’d hate to get us kicked out of Terran faster.

Verron sighs, leaning back in his chair. ‘I’m tired, boy. Whatever you’ve got to say, spit it out.’

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