Page 114 of Crown of Darkness
“I love you.” The roughened words trip over my tongue as I kiss his thumbs and slowly open my eyes.
A set of night-blooming flowers blossoms in the sky behind him, and in that moment, the shock of hope and joy on his face overwhelm me.
“You rarely say it,” he whispers, leaning down with a smile. “But I cherish each and every time you do.”
And then his mouth brushes against mine, his lips stirring heat through my veins. He kisses as if he wants to consume me, as if he wants to drown in every breath I make.
Gentle fingers stroke down my right breast, tracing eloquent circles around my nipple.
“Home,” I whisper, taking him by the fingers and leading him back into the crowded square.
“Not yet. Tonight is a night to celebrate.” His voice dips to a growl. “And as much as I want to take you up on your offer, I haven’t danced with you yet.”
“My poor wretched feet.”
“I’ll kiss them better later.” There’s hunger in his eyes and ruin in his smile. “I like the dress, even if Thalia doesn’t approve.”
“I’m sure you’d prefer me without it.”
“Mmmm.” His gaze grows hot. “You’re not going to tempt me. Not yet, Vi. I want you desperate before I take you home.”
I slide my hand down his side. “I bet I could make you break your promise.”
He captures my hand and kisses the slope of my shoulder. “But my willpower is stronger than yours.”
“Do you want to test that theory?”
He laughs. “First one to break.”
I feel breathless as I undulate against him, our gazes lost in each other. I’ve never felt so alive, so in tune with another person. And then there’s a fiddle cutting through the night, as if someone’s noticed that his dancers are flagging.
I know this song.
“Lord of Summer.”
It’s played in Asturia on May Day.
Bang. Bang. Drums kick in to accompany the fiddle. And then the sound of it soars through the air, stirring my blood in my veins, a flute trilling high in accompaniment. Despite my sore feet and tight calves, I feel my toes tapping.
“I hope you’re saving your energy,” he whispers as he swings me in his arms. “Because you’re getting no sleep. I’m going to make you scream until dawn.”
“That’s a little cruel.”
“Trust me, you’ll love every minute of it.”
And then we’re dancing, one of his arms flung around my waist as he swings me in circles. Our gazes meet, and we share a secret smile as Thiago’s fingers tighten against me.Later, his eyes say.
Nobody knows us here.
We splash through fountains until my dress is soaked and slick against my body. I can tell from the look in his eyes how much he appreciates this fact, and he captures me at odd corners, stealing hot, breathless kisses that threaten to turn into more, before he always breaks away.
“Are you trying to drive me to the edge of frustration?” I growl, capturing a fistful of his shirt. “Kiss me.”
He does, shoving me against the bricks of a house and stealing the very breath from my lungs. And then once again he’s gone, vanishing through the crowd with a lingering glance over his shoulder as if to say, “Come and get me.”
Fine.
I’ll play his game.
