Page 65 of Whispers of Fire

Me, a broken cold soul. Despite my darkness, despite our differences, despite it all, she likes me.

Can't even fuckin' process her words.

Taking my jaw between her palms, she comes closer, resting her forehead on mine, makin’ my black heart burst into my chest. She tries to stay somethin’ but she turns her face as if it was too painful. Her blue eyes get watery, deception written on her face at the frustration of the moment.

“It's alright, Angel. Never want ya to talk if it's painful. Never,” I say, takin’ her chin between my fingers. Need to tell her that I fuckin' burn for her, that I feel it too.

This.

The fire between us.

"You're somethin' else, Angel,” I manage to say, despite my heart pumping in my chest making it hard for me to breathe. I wanna tell her I'm into her, but she probably already knows it. Don't know why the words can't fuckin’ get out. Keepin’ her chin in my fingers, pullin’ her face up towards mine, I murmur, “Mine.”

Her body shivers against me.

“Stay tonight,” I whisper, my fingertips runnin’ on her jaw. Her eyes widen with curiosity and something else, something that looks like lust and a tint of fear.

“No, wait, that's not what I meant, fuck.” I take her face in my hands, forcin’ her gaze in mine.

“We don't have to do anythin’,” I say, weighting each word so she knows I'm not tryin’ to rush her into somethin’ she's not ready for.

Damn, never had to have that kind of talk with a chick before, but Rose's different, everythin’s different with her.

“We can watch a movie, bake fuckin' brownies if you want. I just want to be with ya, so whatever you want we'll do,” I say, liftin’ her palm and kissin’ it gently, her body drawing to me like a magnet.

“Just wanna hold you in my arms all night,” I say, kissin’ her forehead. I haven't tried to steal a kiss from her lips yet. Somehow, I know she's not ready, it would overwhelm her, and the last thing I want is for her to run away from me. Never been a patient man, but for her, I'll try.

Lifting her face towards mine, she nods with a small smile, biting her lips and makin’ my fist clench as the result.

Is she aware of the power she has over me?

“Vox?” she mouths, and fuck, can't even describe how addicting it is to see the way she says my name. Like I'm a goddamn prayer.

“Yeah, sweetheart?” I ask, pushing a stray of hair behind her ear.

“Could we watch a movie?” she signs, and I'm surprised I get what she said. Well, I got the word “movie”, but it’s a start. Turns out, hours of online classes each night isn't such a waste of time. Maybe a movie could soothe her.

“Sure,” anythin’ for my girl, “What do you wanna watch?”

“I don't know, something with pirates or magic?” she writes in the notebook.

“Hum, okay, that's specific.” I chuckle, always liking knowing new stuff about her. She keeps on surprising me. Looks like she wants to escape in another world for a bit. Can't fuckin' blame her.

“I'm gonna make popcorn, make yourself comfortable on the couch. I'll be right back,” I say, expecting her to disappear in the living room, but instead she walks toward me, her eyes glued to the popcorn bag I’ve put on the counter.

Fuckin’ adorable.

“Chocolate syrup or caramel?” I ask, her eyes glowing with excitement, showing her the two bottles in my hands. She bites her index, not knowing what to choose.

“Alright both, but I warn you, it's fuckin' addictin’, could probably eat a ton of them,” I say, watching her tongue wetting her lower lips, making me freeze for a sec at the sight.

I put the popcorn bag in the microwave and push the on button. A few pops echoes in the kitchen, the scent already filling the place. Don’t know why, but with her, my house feels like a home. She stares at the microwave with curiosity, jumping a little bit each time a new corn pops. When the inside of the bag starts to pop like pouring rain, she smiles and puts her hand on her mouth.

That's when I notice.

Her shoulders are moving slightly up and down, her chest is heaving, and a small breathy rapid sound comes from her delicious mouth.

She's laughing.

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