Page 29 of Blade
“Neither do I.”
Our gazes hold, and I’m not certain who moves first, but our lips come together as natural as breathing. Unlike our first kiss on the rock, this one is more sensual, slow, deep, and familiar. I shift on his lap, desperate to be closer to him, his arm reaching for me, pulling me closer.
He is comfort and desire to me; a man I want to be around. To hold him, make him happy. Only him.
I shift closer. My fingers twisting in his hair, kissing him with passion, desperate to be close to him. It feels good, familiar, right, and like home, and I never want this kiss to end.
He pulls away suddenly, almost coldly.
“This ain’t right.”
His words crush me under the weight of their rejection.
“I see.”
I glance down, my heart heavy, and he grips my chin and forces me to look at him.
“I want to kiss you so badly it hurts. But I also know where this will end, and I can’t be that man.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m not taking advantage of you when you’re vulnerable. No matter how tempting that is. I’m honorable and promised you would be safe with me.”
His reasons crush me, but I understand them. Of course he won’t take this further. He’s right. His honor is admirable.
“But I wanted it. It was me who initiated the kiss.”
“Was it, darlin?”
He shakes his head, a desperate gleam in his eyes.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you on repeat for the entire time we’re here, but it’s not gonna happen. No matter how much it kills me inside.”
“I understand.”
I breathe deeper, fighting my disappointment.
“I should clean the dishes and head off to bed. We have a big day tomorrow.”
“Good idea. I’ll finish up here.”
I don’t move. Neither does he. We merely stare at one another as if waiting for further instructions.
It’s as if the moment I climb off his lap the spell will break. I don’t want to be the one to disturb this bond we’re forming.
“Darlin’–”
He falters, catching a deep breath as he tightens his hold.
“You wouldn’t want a man like me, anyway?”
“Why not?” I shrug. “You’re honorable, brave, kind and rather hot, if I’m honest.”
He smirks and I smile softly as I reach up and cup his face in my hands and whisper against his lips, “I can wait. I have the rest of my life to wait, and you’re probably right, tomorrow will be a very long day.”
Reluctantly, I shift and make to leave him, and my heart is heavy as I reach my feet to the ground.
“Darlin’–”
