Page 91 of Live To Tell

“You have my permission to kiss me, so no need for flowers tomorrow.”

He half-laughs. “Good.”

“But do not grab my backside this time.”

“That’s tempting when you’re sitting on me like this,” he says hoarsely, fingers digging into my waist, “but understood.”

“And—” I begin, but Leif’s mouth meets mine, silencing me with a hard kiss, hands sliding upwards to hold the back of my head.

This is the kiss Leif wanted to give me the night of the dance, mouth moving against mine in a possessive way that sends now familiar tingles dancing across my skin. He parts my lips with his tongue, holding the back of my neck gently as he deepens the kiss, and I slip my hands into his curls.

Pressing myself against him, I kiss Leif in a way I avoided for too long. Too long because the first time I ever did, I finally understood why people do such a thing. This expression of love and desire comes from a closeness on a different level to friendship. Each time this happens I fall further into those desires.

And Leif most certainly sends that odd, burning need into my blood as our kiss becomes deeper, neither of us pulling away for air. He tastes vaguely of beer, and his hair tickles my face, but the kiss wipes away any irritation.

Leif often wipes away what irritates me, and I’d happily stay here with him for the rest of the evening.

“Ah. Alright. Did you want me to go?” asks a voice and I startle, looking back to where Holly stands, back against the closed door, with a ‘gotcha’ look on her face.

My face smarts, as do my lips as I look at her. “I don’t require a room to myself with Leif. We’re merely communicating what’s not been done so before.”

“In a very non-verbal way?” she says and giggles.

Giggles.

I place a hand on Leif’s chest, his heart thumping against my palm beneath his shirt, then swing my legs to climb from him. He doesn’t move at all, only to pull his hand from my hair when he sees Holly. I’ve evidently kissed him into silence.

“Everybody knows how Leif feels about you,” she says. “Took you long enough to notice.”

Smirking to herself, Holly wanders into the room and flops onto her bed, looking up at the sloped ceiling.

“I did notice. I’m just unaccustomed and ill-equipped to communicate my own feelings.”

“Kissing works,” says Leif hoarsely and stands. “And Holly probably saved me from pushing you away again.”

“Pushing you away? The hold on me and the strength of that kiss had no hint you intended to do that.”

His hands circle my waist and Leif lifts me from the floor, surprising me enough that I grip his shoulders rather than shove him. “In case it’s not clear, I love you, Violet Blackwood,” he whispers. “And partly in a way that might result in a painful reaction from you.”

“The physical desires that are evidently clear?” He loosens his arms and I slide back down his body, then raise a brow at his uncomfortable glance at Holly.

Leif presses fingers to my lips. “I lied when I told you a smile is as good as a kiss from you. Because that was one hell of a kiss.”

Did Holly just quietly squee? This situation is no longer comfortable with a third person present.

Leif tucks my hair behind an ear. “I should probably leave.”

“Why? Is Rowan waiting for a report?” I ask.

He looks at me curiously. “No. But I have the answer I came to you for.”

“I want a report,” announces Holly and I suck on my teeth as she giggles. “And I’m tired. You should leave, Leif.”

Tired? I may be the one known for interrogation, but I’m fully expecting one from my roommate. Leif kisses my cheek, having heard my protests about public displays before, and understands Holly counts as the public to me.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says and looks up. “Bye, Holly.”

“Sorry to interrupt, Leif.”

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