Page 33 of The Stone Survival
I finish applying kohl to my eyes, then sweep my hair up into a ponytail. It’s been forever since it was long enough to tie up like this, and the style accentuates my cheekbones and slims my face.
I look almost…pretty.
“You look beautiful,” Derek says from behind me.
I turn to face him, cheeks growing warm at the sight of his chiseled frame. “Didn’t we talk about knocking?”
He vanishes, and a moment later, a soft knock sounds on the door.
I can’t help but smile. “You can come in, Derek.”
He materializes by my bed once more. “You still look beautiful,” he says again.
He makes me want to giggle. He makes me giddy. I am so falling for this male, and I’m terrified that I’ve misread the signs, terrified that he doesn’t feel the same way. I could ask him, but if I’m wrong and this thing between us is one-sided, then I’ll lose what we have. This easy comradery. This closeness.
“Shar?” Derek moves closer. “Why is your face suddenly sad?”
I force a smile. “No, it’s not.”
His diamond eyes flicker. “Now it isn’t, but a moment ago it was. Tell me what makes you sad.”
His speech is becoming more fluid, more sophisticated every day. He’s learning so fast, becoming his own person, and I’m so fucking proud of him.
“Shar?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
“We are friends, are we not?” he asks.
“Yes. Of course.” And I don’t want to lose that.
“Then please don’t lie to me.”
Crap. “I…I’m sorry.”
“Tell me what made you sad.”
I can’t lie to this male. “The thought of losing you.”
He stares at me with bright eyes for several moments before bridging the distance between us and gripping my shoulders. “I have this same sadness when I think of losing you.”
My heart leaps, and my mouth goes dry.
“I want to be close to you all the time,” he says. “I want to hear your voice and smell you.” His eyes flicker. “That sounds strange when said out loud.”
A soft, breathless laugh spills from my lips. “No. I get it. Go on, what else?” I need to know. Need to hear it…
“I want to touch you.” His voice drops an octave. “To…kiss you. On your mouth and…maybe other places.”
My knees buckle, and he takes my weight easily, hauling me to his chest. “Shar, are you unwell?”
He has no idea the effect he has on me. I’m melting with desire here. Melting in his arms, and he has no clue that his words are the cause. This is new to him. The things he feels…his desires for me.
Oh god, hedesiresme. The revelation heats my body.
“Shar…” His voice rumbles deep in his chest, the vibration rolling against me.
I tip my head up to look at him, and fuck, I love that I have to do that. That he’s larger, stronger. Love that he’s him. “Derek…I’m falling in love with you.”
