Page 28 of Ashes and Lilies
“I have a present for you.” His cheeks turned pink. Yet, despite his shyness, his voice was strong and unwavering, and his gaze remained steady. “I wasn’t sure when to give it to you, but this seems to be the perfect time.”
I tilted my head, curious, and my insides twisted. The boys had done so much over the last few days, including buying me a phone. It seemed wrong to accept yet another gift. I already owed them so much.
But he looked so determined and scared. This seemed to be important to him, and I wanted to make him happy.
I couldn’t deny him, even as my mind warned me it was too much.
“What is it?” Knowing Titus, he might have purchased something from the newestTarepandacollection. I’d seen the recent release on their website, and it was a fact that owning floppy panda paraphernalia was a lifelong dream of mine…
That wasn’t so scary.
Instead of answering, he touched my hair, and before I could say a word, his lips quirked. He appeared to have made up his mind about something. “Did I tell you that I like your hair? It’s silky and bouncy. And it’s so soft to touch.”
I stared at him. How was it surprising that I’d thought he was a stalker? It was only because I no longer feared for my life that my heart didn’t lurch in terror. Besides, what did this have to do with my present? Surely, he wasn’t looking for haircare tips.
“Thank you,” I said slowly, watching his face. However, his expression was unreadable. What was I supposed to say? “I like your hair too. You can touch it again if you want.”
Titus’s grin grew, and he leaned over me. I thought he was going to give me a hug, or perhaps smother me, but instead, he touched a place near my left ear. Something had been in his hand, and when he pulled back, the item was gone.
I sat, stunned, and touched the clip that was now nestled in my hair. “What is this?”
He swallowed and squared his jaw as he reached across me and pulled down the passenger-side visor, exposing the mirror. “It might be too much for class,” he said. “But I hope you’ll accept it anyway.”
Now that I could see it, the gift was obviously not a clip at all. Rather, he’d placed some sort of gold hairpin into the thick of mybraid. It was small and delicate, about half the width of my hand. The design was of a small bouquet and was decorated with pearls and other gems.
My fingers moved lightly over the stones—I was almost afraid to touch them. This piece had to have personal significance; otherwise, why would he have been nervous? Despite its pristine appearance, it looked antique.
“It was my mother’s.” Titus watched me, a soft look on his face. “And my grandmother’s before her. It’s a family heirloom. It was packed away after I was born, but I had Maria take it out.”
He looked away, touching the back of his head, as he added, “I want you to have it. You’re the only person in the world I’d want to have it.”
What could I say…?
“Are you sure?” This was one of the only types of gifts that I could accept without guilt. The intense look he gave me made it hard to breathe. “I mean…” I backed up, putting distance between us.
I couldn’t think when he was this close to me, nor were his eyes that… sparkly. “It’s an heirloom,” I reminded him. “You said it was put away.”
“I don’t have any brothers or sisters. There’s no one other than me who would inherit it.” Titus turned from me, bracing his arms over the steering wheel. “Did anyone mention to you that we can’t be in relationships—that we’re not supposed to reproduce?”
“Miles did,” I answered, although he’d only mentioned the former. However, the topic of reproduction brought up some interesting thoughts that I’d rather not explore right now.
“But that doesn’t matter.” Titus sighed. “I would still give it to you.”
“What do you…” I was stunned into silence before I finished my question.
Titus had interrupted me by nuzzling against my neck. His breath was warm against my skin. His hands, though shaking, were hot as they spread over my back while he held me to him.
“Titus?” I squeaked. What was this hug? I couldn’t think at his proximity. “What are you…”
Again, my words trailed off as my heart danced as Titus brushed something soft against the skin of my neck.
My face flushed as my chest grew tight. “What was that?”
Titus’s lips quirked against my skin, and then he lifted his face. His expression, which had been so torn before, now seemed lighter. “That, princess…” His dimples were displayed in full force. “…was a butterfly kiss.”
Was he serious?
Titus, the largest and scariest looking of the guys, was now giving out butterfly kisses. Besides that, who in the world had come up with such a ridiculous term?
