Page 29 of Tied in Knots
I edge closer and pause.
Then I move closer still until I’m in the wardrobe with her. She snuffles in her sleep, and I freeze, hoping I didn’t disturb her.
She settles again and I carefully lay down, staring into her beautiful face. I can’t resist leaning over to kiss the tip of her nose.
She smiles and takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. “You’re really sweet, aren’t you?”
I snort. “Pah, hard as nails.”
“Nah, don’t believe you. Is Xander short for Alexander?” Her eyes open and I fall deeply into their aqua depths.
“Yeah, but no one calls me that. Not anymore.” I try to keep the bite out of my tone, but I think some of it filtered through.
She gets it, though. “Xander, it is.”
Her eyes close again and I go back to watching her.
“Stop it,” she murmurs. “You’re making me self-conscious.”
“I don’t mean to. I just can’t stop looking at you now you’re here.”
Her eyes open again. “I hope I live up to what you expected.”
“Surpassed. Not that I really thought about it. I focus more on scents and sounds.”
She blinks sleepily. She probably doesn’t understand where I’m coming from. “Did he mean what he said?” she asks so quietly, I barely heard her.
“About which part?” I think I know, but I want to hear her say it.
She looks down shyly and bites her lip.
It’s fucking adorable.
There isn’t a being in the entire world that can stop my next action.
I lean over and press my lips to hers.
Her eyes shoot up to mine, so close together as our mouths are joined. She lets out a soft breath, parting those plump red lips. I take it as an invitation and slip my tongue inside her mouth.
She moans and fists her hand into my hair.
Twisting my tongue around hers, I suddenly freeze. I don’t kiss women, females, people in general. Whatever drove this need to claim her mouth with mine isn’t instinctual. It was something else entirely, but I’m not sure what it was.
She hesitates and pulls back, puzzled. “Sorry,” she murmurs.
“Why areyouapologising?” I splutter.
She shakes her head, her hair tumbling into her eyes. I reach out and brush the light blonde strands out of her face.
“I’m not used to being…” I bite the inside of my cheek as words fail me.
“You aren’t used to kissing women?” she asks astutely.
I nod, my turn to be shy.
She cups my face. “You’re a good kisser. You should practise more.”
My eyes wide, I choke on my own saliva. “I don’t want to…I mean…wait, with you? Do you mean with you?”
