Page 43 of The Silent
Kyra’s eyes went wide. She tried to pull back, but Leo wouldn’tlether.
“Which is fine,” he added. “I’m not worried about them as long as you arewilling.”
Shenodded.
“Speak.” He smiled a little. “I need to hear thewords.”
“Yes.” She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I wanttotry.”
“And you’re not going to run away without talkingtome?”
Shesmiled. “No.”
“And you’re going to give me your phone number? The correct one, not a burner? Maybe even share your e-mailaddress?”
Her face was flaming. She ducked and pressed her face into his neck as helaughed.
“Yes?” heasked.
“Yes.”
“Good.” He continued caressing her over her dress. His hands were large and warm. His fingers were teasing. He trailed them over her shoulders where her sundress bared her skin. “This is all new tometoo.”
“Oh?” Kyra kept her eyes closed and her head on Leo’s shoulder, luxuriating in his touch. When she sat on his lap, his height wasn’t quite so intimidating. “You seem… far more comfortable doingallthis.”
“I’ve been thinking about it”—he leaned back, taking her with him so Kyra was draped over his chest—“for alongtime.”
“Waiting for the right Irina?” Kyraasked.
He said nothing, but his mind whispered to her, words so jumbled she couldn’t discern where his thoughts ended and hersbegan.
Kyra sat up so she could see his expression. His gaze was tender.Painfullyopen.
“I think I was waiting for you,” he said. His words, like so much of that day, were both thrilling and terrifying. But his smile was sweet and crooked. “I think you’re going to need some time to get used tothatidea.”
“Leo—”
“That’s fine,” he said. “I have time.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “And you will too. Ipromise.”
Kyra’s doubt must have shown in her eyes, because Leocontinued.
“So many thoughts going on behind those beautiful eyes. Why won’t youtellme?”
“I don’t want to hurt you. Or dismiss yourfeelings.”
“But?”
“You don’t know me,” she said. “Notreally.”
He paused before he spoke. “You’re partly right. I don’t know many things about you. But I know your heart for your sisters. Your dedication to your family. You intelligence and your talent.” He drew her to his side and settled her in the crook of his arm. “I know that you’re fierce even when you’re afraid. That you protect those who are weaker than you even if it means sacrificing your owndesires.”
“You make me sound like awarrior.”
“If there’s one major failing of Irin men,” Leo said, “it’s that we don’t recognize a truth our women have been trying to teach us for centuries: there are many different kinds of war. And many different kinds ofwarriors.”
“But you’re smarter than the average Irin man, Iassume?”
“Oh, far smarter.” He kissed the top of her head. “Which I will be happy to demonstrate in thefuture.”
