Page 56 of Night's Fall
“I’ve had a crush on you sinceIwas six,”Iadmitted.
His face started to shut down, andIunderstood.
He had that already from practically every female in four realms, possibly all twenty of them.
It wasn’t what he needed.
“ButIhad no idea untilIhad normalAlekseitonight how much there actually was to crush on, because you are very correct.Laserjousts are stupid.So, well,IguessIhave an even bigger crush on you now.”
He changed his mind about kissing me, obviously.
BecauseIbarely got out the word “now” beforeIwas plastered to his long, hard body, up on the very tips of my toes, and his mouth crushed on mine.
So, yes.
I was in for a credit, in for the whole line.
I parted my lips.
I got that rough noise again, this time it filled my mouth, which made my knees fully buckle.Hisarm tightened to hold me close, he cocked his head, and his tongue swept inside.
He tasted like cognac andSirk’spastry chef’s chocolate, almond, cherry soufflé, and he felt like warmth, safety and protection.
Naturally, receiving all those gifts from him,Ileaned all the way in, becauseI’dalways wanted all of that, and here he was, offering it to me in one delicious kiss.
He lifted his head, breaking our intimate contact far too soon, sliding his hand out of my hair and swiping a thumb along my lower lip.
Another smooth move.
And one could sayIwas moved, down to my soul.
His sleek voice was husked with velvet when he said, “Youhave sketches to draw.Ihave meetings to attend.We’llcontinue that thought when we have plenty of time to enjoy it.Now, let’s go look at troll skin.”
I wanted to laugh.Andcry.Andimmediately comm all my gals to let them know that maybe they weren’t crazy to get in my face about daring to dream.
I did the first, tucking my own hand in his elbow and shifting to his side.
And together, we walked to the entry to theCatalogues.
Chapter10
He Knew
My head was in the clouds.
I’d never experienced that sensation, butIknew exactly what it was asIwalked atAleksei’sside toward the door to theCatalogues, feeling his arm brush against mine, the heat of his body, the strength of his biceps under my fingers.
I was his.
And that meant he was mine.
By all the gods…
He was mine.
I was in such a daze, my greeting to the female who’d been waiting for us was vague, perfunctory, and therefore rude, but for once,Ididn’t have it in me to care.
I was all aboutAlekseiand what just happened, even thoughI’dbeen looking forward to this.Veryfew were allowed access to theRoyalCatalogues.Juststaff, curators, historians and researchers (those last two, only if they jumped through hoops and cut through a ton of red tape).SoI’dwanted to take it all in.
