Page 36 of Orin

“Is it safe to assume you won’t be leaving Alara?” He asked. Hope was evident in his tone.

I fidgeted with my hands in my lap. “Truthfully, I never wanted to leave, but I couldn’t handle seeing you when I thought you didn’t want me, so I knew I should leave.”

Orin reached out and touched my arm, smoothing his fingers down it. “It appears we are both at fault.” He grinned and I could tell he was teasing.

“Will you allow me to learn more about you? About what pleases you, and makes you smile?”

Yes, please.

My eyes fell to his lips and all I could think about was how much I wanted him to kiss me. His palm grazed against my cheek, and I couldn’t help but shudder at the comforting warmth.

Orin gazed at me with hunger in his eyes.

Why is he waiting?

“Well, kiss me already,” I demanded.

He stilled and doubt started to creep in for a moment. “I assume you know what a kiss is, don’t you?” I uttered. Need was rising faster than I was ready for. Every cell in my body cried out for his touch.

A chuckle escaped him, and his eyes shone brightly. “Yes. I do.”

Still, he hesitated to make a move. I decided to take matters into my own hands. “Good. May I kiss you?” My mouth watered and my thighs quivered.

He uttered a husky,yes.

I pulled him closer as I leaned forward, gripping his shoulders to balance myself. My lips closed in on his, sweeping across his mouth. I ran my tongue along his bottom lip feeling the soft plumpness of it.

Placing his palms on either side of my head, Orin’s hands slid into my hair. He kissed me back with a tenderness I didn’t expect.

My response was to pull him even closer. I tugged at his hair and held him tight before he could get away or change his mind.

He chuckled. His laughter vibrated against my lips, before he deepened the kiss, causing me to melt into him.

Our mouths opened to one another and the kiss evolved into a passionate intertwining of tongues and lips. He tasted like a mix of fresh mint and warm spice, and it sent a thrilling jolt through me.

It seemed I wasn’t alone in my thoughts as I heard words in my mind,Gods; you taste even better than I could have imagined.

Excited, I drew back, breathless with my chest heaving. “Did I just hear your thoughts?”

One side of his mouth tilted, revealing a seductive grin. “Yes.”

I gasped. This was real. We were fated mates.

The instant attraction I had felt when I first saw him told me a part of me knew all along about our connection, but I had been too afraid to believe it was possible.

I could feel the vibrations as my handsome warrior's chest rumbled. It sent a jolt through my body, like a surge of electricity coursing from my veins to my very core.

In that moment, our breaths became one, as our foreheads met and our chests rose and fell in unison, each gasp filling the space between us.

A wave of joy washed over me, making me feel as if I had been handed the greatest gift imaginable.

With the air of someone who had just recalled something important, Orin settled back and reached into his pocket.

“I have a special gift just for you.”

My breath hitched.

In his hand, he held a small box, his palm cradling it. The package was wrapped nicely with gold fabric and white ribbons. It was stunning.

---