Page 118 of Fake Fae-Ancée

"Bloody looked like it," Yuri grunted, getting out of his leather jacket, rolling it up and placing it under my legs. Then he went about untying my shoes and scooping them off my feet. I felt too weak to protest.

So there I lay on the counter like a baguette or something, legs propped up on his jacket, shoeless, while he tore open the kitchen cabinets looking for glasses.

"Ah," he muttered when he finally found some, took one out of the cupboard and filled it with water.

"Drink," he said, helping me to sit up.

"That's not necessary at all," I muttered, but very well took the glass and drank a few sips. Relieved I noticed the dizziness disappearing as well as the throbbing behind my eyes.

Yuri took the glass from me. His nose was pale, his mouth pressed into a thin line. That soft spot in my chest clenched at his concern.

"Better?" he asked.

I nodded, rising into a sitting position.

"Didn't the Witch just say your Anima was fine?" he asked. I shrugged rubbing my temple and dangling my legs over the edge of the kitchen counter. I was wondering about this myself. What had just happened…?

Yuri leaned next to me at the counter, sneaking his warm hand on my shoulders. I sighed, easing into his touch as he soothingly stroked up and down my back.

"You scared me," he murmured.

"Sorry." I propped my hands on the edge and looked up at him. He shook his head.

"No, I'm sorry," he said. "It was a stupid idea to just buy the place. I thought it would be a nice surprise."

I laughed softly. His hand on my back lulled me, the gentle movement, the warmth seeping into me.

"It was definitely surprising."

He put a finger under my chin. "Probably should have talked to you first."

I nodded. "Yeah, probably." And then I sighed and said, "But you're right. This place is perfect for us."

"Really?" The crooked grin and dimples returned to his face, a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

"But don't you think you're paying everything!" I pointed at him. "We're not that kind of couple. The days of you being king and bossing everyone around are over."

Yuri cocked his head. "So you do like it?"

"Of course I like it!" I swatted his hand away. "And I'd love nothing more than to spend my life here with you, ordering takeout every day and crumbling all over your super-expensive furniture. And the living room is perfect for a proper surround system. And I can see my old house from the balcony. And you can set up a walk-in closet for me. And I'll kick your ass as soon as the PlayStation is hooked up. And..."

He silenced me with a kiss. One of the kind that made your toes curl with bliss and your stomach do that flip-flop thingy. He backed away after a few seconds, his face strained.

"Sorry, I shouldn't..." he muttered, cheeks flushed, but I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back down to me, capturing his mouth again.

Something inside me stirred, suddenly no longer dizzy and faint, but hungry and vigorous and non-negotiable.

"But you just fainted!"

"I'm okay," I murmured into our kiss. "I feel much better."

Yuri groaned, stepping between my legs and leaning in, opening my mouth with his and I breathed him in, letting him in, his scent and his taste and the delicious friction of his tongue against my own.

Wherever this strange weakness had come from, my body was now humming with primordial desire for more. One kiss would not be enough. I pulled him closer. Craned my neck as he leaned over me. Our mouths sealed, his hands pulled my hips forward.

"I like your new style." Yuri nipped my lower lip, slid a broad, hot hand under the hem of my skirt while I was frantically fumbling with the buttons of his shirt, loosening them one by one.

Again he faltered and broke the kiss, his eyes searching mine.

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