Page 80 of The Silent
So the Rending had taken Leo’s family from him too. Though it happened before her birth, Kyra still felt a pang of guilt anytime one of the Irinmentionedit.
“It had nothing to do with you,”Leosaid.
“Are you sure it’s not carried in the blood?” Kyra asked lightly. “Like genes forbeingtall?”
“I’msure.”
“There will always be some who don’t see itthatway.”
“Probably yes.” He rolled over and laid his head in her lap. “But there will be more whounderstand.”
“I hope so.” She ran her fingers through his hair and felt his chest rise and fall in a steady, relaxedbreath.
She could do this for him. She might not have magic, but she could do this. She could love him so well he wouldn’t feel the loss. She would shove back her anger and swallow it whole to make room for loving Leo, who brought her flowers and fed her from hisownhand.
I love you so much. I will make myself deservingofit.
After dinner, Leo ran a bath and put frangipani in the water, which filled the air with its heady scent. Then he lifted her and brought her to thebathroom.
“One step at a time,” he said. “Tonight we try for noclothes.”
Her face heated immediately. “No clothesatall?”
“Only if you want to, but I am curious why you are reluctant to let me see you.” He teased her, trying to keep it light. “Do you have an embarrassing birthmark you don’t want me to see? A tail you’ve beenhiding?”
“No,” she said. “My body isperfect.”
Leo made a sound low in his throat. It was a hungry, raw sound that both thrilled andfrightenedher.
“Kyra—”
“Right now you seeme. All of me. My face, but my mind and heart too.” Her voice grew softer. “When men look at me… It’s as if I don’t exist anymore. They don’t see me. Onlymybody.”
“Hmm.” Leo didn’t say anything. He took her by the hand and walked to the bed, sitting down and putting his hands onherhips.
For the longest time he only looked at her, as if he was trying to see beneathherskin.
“I can’t promise I won’t lose my head a little,” he said quietly. “Because, Kyra, I know you will be beautiful. When I see your bare skin, it will be overwhelming. But I will always seeyoufirst.”
Shenodded.
“When you see me without myclothes—”
“I’ve only seen you without your shirt,” she said. “Not the wholeofyou.”
He smiled. “Fine. Then imagine me right now. The whole of me, without a stitch of clothing onmybody.”
Kyra closed her eyes and imagined it, surprised when the same hungry sound left her own throat. Her eyesflewopen.
Leo wassmiling. “Good.”
“You’re saying that when I see you naked, I’ll forget who youaretoo?”
“Hunger doesn’t mean we forget who we’re with. It only means that our bodies recognize each other like our hearts do. Do you think I’ve ever wanted a woman the way I want you? I haven’t. Other women do not interest me.” He brought his mouth to her belly, lifted her shirt, and nipped at the sensitive flesh. “This need is onlyforyou.”
She let out a lowbreath. “Okay.”
He lifted her shirt again, running his fingers along her waistband. “MayI?”
