Page 94 of The Baby Dragon Cafe
When they finished eating, Emmeline helped Aiden clean up as thanks, while Saphira and Genevieve played with Sparky.
As they were getting ready to leave, Genevieve picked Sparky up. “I’m taking this little guy with me,” she said. “He wants a sleepover with his favorite auntie, doesn’t he?”
Sparky flapped excitedly. Aiden looked to Saphira. “What do you think?” he asked.
“I think that sounds great,” Saphira replied.
“You sure you can handle it?” Aiden asked Ginny, who waved a hand.
“Yeah, of course,” she replied easily. Aiden also knew there was loads of help at the house, too, if she needed it.
The girls got up to leave, Sparky in tow. Aiden and Saphira walked them to the door, where Emmeline said, “Don’t have too much fun,” as she and Genevieve giggled.
“Stop, don’t be gross,” Ginny said, hitting Emmy, but Aiden knew they were both happy for him.
“Byeeee.” Aiden closed the door behind them with a satisfying thud. Finally, he sighed.
He turned and closed the space between him and Saphira, bringing her mouth to his in a hungry kiss. She yelped with surprise, then kissed him back, smiling against his mouth.
“You were waiting for that a while, huh?”
“Yes,” he said, breath ragged. “I thought they would never leave.”
“Well, they’re gone now,” she said with a smile.
“Thank god.” He pulled her in for another searing kiss, desperate for her. He walked her backwards into the house, inhaling the sweet scent of roses on her skin.
With nimble fingers, he reached into her hair, undoing the ribbon. The curls fell forward, and he twisted her hair around his fingers, gently pulling her head back and opening her mouth to deepen the kiss.
She let out a little cry, and his heart pounded with urgency, both of physical need and of words he could no longer wait to say.
He pulled away, cradling her face in his hands. She openedher eyes, where her pupils were blown wide. He stroked her cheeks. A slow smile spread across her face.
“Saphira,” he said, voice thick. “You should have no doubts as to what my feelings for you are, but in case it is not clear, let me make it so now. It feels like everything leading up to meeting you was just the prologue to my life; after meeting you, the real story began. Like my real life started the day I met you. Which is all to say—I love you. Deeply, passionately, madly, I love you.”
He was breathless, his heart beating fast. He watched as the words sank in, Saphira’s eyes lighting up and, though there was nothing but joy on her face, still he worried how she would respond, what she might say.
“Aiden.” Her smile widened. “I love you, too. Knowing you is the best thing that has ever happened to me. You aren’t just in my heart—you are my heart.”
He had never really believed in magic. Even though they lived in a world of dragons and chimeras and other mythical creatures, magic always seemed just a bit too far-fetched.
But what he felt for her—what she, somehow, some way, felt for him—was nothing less than magical.
Chapter 24
Saphira felt as though she was floating. She had suspected for some time now that she was in love with him, that she loved him, and when he had just said those words to her, she had felt likeof courseshe loved him. It was the most obvious thing in the world.
She pulled him in for a kiss, opening her mouth against his, melting against him. A groan broke from his throat as he hitched her higher, closer against him. Her body pushed into his, every inch of her trying to fuse them together. She needed him, completely and entirely. She needed him, now.
She pulled away.
“Where’s your room?” she asked, breathless. His eyes burned with scorching desire.
“Are you sure?” he asked, voice hoarse. Her skin prickled. She was so glad she had taken tomorrow off from the cafe.
“Yes.” She pulled him in for another kiss.
He lifted her off the ground and she wrapped her legs around his waist, gasping at the contact. He nipped at her lips, making her pulse spike dangerously.
