Page 34 of Moonlight and Mischief
She hesitates for a beat, wetting her lips. “Did they ever try to pair you up with anyone?”
“Other than Hazel, not really. But they would have if I had stayed. There were lots of discussions about it, but most of them I wasn’t involved in. Just informed later.”
“Did you like Hazel at first?”
Oh, that’s awkward.
I take a moment, thinking through my words. “I did, but she was the first person I had met who was sincere and kind. I barely knew her and I wanted to be around her. And then I discovered her entire pack was like that.”
“Oh.” She tilts her head slightly, her lips rounded.
“Honestly, she saved my life. I didn’t know a pack could be like this.”
“Jasper.” Her voice is soft, empathetic. But I don’t need her comfort, I need to express myself.
“And you are the kindest, brightest person in the pack. You made me feel so welcome and accepted.”
“That’s sweet, but anyone would have done the same.”
“You’re not anyone. You were the one I wanted to be around from the first day I arrived.”
Tension thickens the air until I can’t catch my breath.
She clears her throat, looking away. “What do you think you want in a mate? More of a housewife and mother like Crickett? Or a partner to go into battle with, like Cassia?”
“I don’t care,” I say, giving into the urge to run my fingers through her hair. When I brushed out her hair a couple of days ago, I learned how silky and soft those reddish gold waves were. Even slightly damp, it’s divine to feel those glossy strands slip across my skin.
“Well what do you want in a partner then?” She’s so serious, my chest tightens. I didn’t expect her to care.
“Um, I guess someone who is loving. I want someone I can talk to and have fun with.” A blush washes over my face, and we’re so close, there’s no way she misses it. “What about you?”
“I don’t know.” She presses her lips between her teeth, the way she does when she’s nervous. “Someone who sees me.”
The trust in her expression draws me in, making me feel wanted. I run my knuckles down her cheek, brushing her hair back. She leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed. My breath catches as she tilts her face toward me, and I can’t resist, not when she’s filled up my entire world in the last few days.
Impulsively, I lower my lips to hers, my nose brushing her cheek. She presses back, her mouth smooth and warm. The drag of her lips against mine is the single most earth shattering sensation I’ve ever experienced. My fingers tangle in her hair, trying to find an anchor as my world is destroyed and put back together in a single moment.
She draws back and stares at me, eyes half-lidded. “That was my first kiss,” she says quietly.
What? The gravity of that truth crashes around me. I kissed my best friend and roommate. Fuck.
“I’m so sorry. That was so stupid of me. I wasn’t thinking,” I say in a rush.
She shrugs, her face still pink. “It’s okay. It’s no big deal, really.”
“We can pretend it never happened.” What if she’s angry that I robbed her of that experience with someone she really loves? Dread sinks in my gut.
“Sure, never happened.” Her voice is higher, emotional. Is she going to cry? Fuckity double fuck.
Is she going to move out? Did I just ruin the best thing in my life? “Please stay, I promise I won’t be an idiot again.”
“Jasper, chill,” she says, reaching out and running her fingers through my hair. Her nails scratch down my scalp, cutting through my panic. I’m able to take a slow breath.
“I’ll sleep on the couch. You can have my bed. I’ll give you space.” I start to get up.
“Really?” Her voice is sarcastic. I freeze, half-upright.
“Stay. I like this.” She tugs at my arm, and I’m shocked and thrilled to be pulled down beside her again. She could do absolutely anything to me right now and I’d happily go along.
