Page 104 of Kai
His lips met mine, and his warmth expanded inside of me like rays of brilliant light. His mouth and his hands teamed up to show me he loved me. He put so much affection into one kiss that he filled me up to the brim with hope, with joy, and, yes, with love.
If Kai loved me, I was indeed lovable.
He broke the kiss and drew back to lock eyes with me. “Wanna give mytutu wahine’sprophecy a whirl? While we’re at it, wanna test your sisters’ theory once and for all?”
“How?”
“Move forward with me?” His smile spoke even louder than his words. “Maybe love me back when you can?”
The answers shot out of me without a second thought. “Yes and yes.”
His smile brightened as he stood up. Taking my hand, he pulled me up to my feet. “Let’s do it.”
“Do what?” I scrambled after him and crossed the trampoline.
He paused at the tip of the forward hull and smiled. “Let’s jump.”
I glanced between him and the water. “You mean like right now?”
“Right now.” He lifted one leg over the railing and then the other. “No life jacket.”
“Are you speaking metaphorically?” I said, even as hehelped me over the cables.
“Do I look like I’m speaking in metaphors?” He steadied me with his hold.
“You’re a deep guy.” I fought for balance, fighting a battle between fear and thrill and strangling his hand in my grip. “Whereas I’m a shallow bitch.”
“I don’t buy that for a second,” he said. “The only way of finding out what we can do is by doing it.”
“Is it?” I snapped a little. “Because my survival instinct is screaming in my head that you’re crazy, that I’m crazy! Also, my knees are rattling, and I’m about to pee my shorts.”
His chuckles echoed over the cove right before he sobered up. “Tell me the truth,” he said. “Are you afraid I’ll let you drown?”
A shadow crossed his eyes, guilt and regret I resolved to erase forever.
“I’m not afraid,” I said. “You would never let me drown. I trust you, Kai.”
His aura flared. It was so bright I had to shield my eyes with a hand.
He nudged his chin toward the water. “Then let’s do this for therightreason.”
“And that is?”
“To face our fears and move on,” he said. “To start fresh… together.”
His smile dazzled me almost as much as his aura did. I felt dizzy from the sheer range of emotions spinning in my head. The ocean below looked tempting, peaceful, welcoming.
Welcoming?
Yep. I’d gone off the deep end.
My adrenaline surged. Excitement flushed my cheeks and pulled at my lips.
“I’ve got you, Sorceress.” Kai threaded his fingers throughmine. “You’re not jumping to your death. This time around,weare jumping into life.”
I inched forward, curled my toes over the edge, and looking at Kai, drank the smile that illuminated his eyes. He had faith. In me. Inus.
He squeezed my hand and gave me a crisp nod. “One,” he counted. “Two—”
