Unsure what to say, I looked at our hands and linked our fingers. His pale skin caught the moonlight, making our contrast even more apparent. In the few days I’d been there, the sun had given my skin a golden shine. It had also brought out more of my freckles.
“May I ask another question?”
“Yeah. Of course. God knows I ask about a million.”
“I don’t mind your questions.” His smile slowly faded. “What are your feelings toward Captain Maddox?”
“My feelings?” Prickles attacked my sternum. “I’m still trying to figure that out. I mean, I hardly know the guy. Why?”
“Because I’ve never been this captivated by anyone before.” Briar’s fingertips touched the edge of my brow and trailed down to my cheek. He leaned in closer, his breath tickling my lips. “And I’ll be damned if I let another man have you without a fight.”
He softly brushed our mouths together but then stilled his advance, as if waiting for permission before continuing. Heat traveled up my neck and to the top of my scalp. This whole situation felt surreal.
The logical side of my brain told me I was incapable of dating two guys at the same time. Did other people play the field a bit before settling with one? Sure. They did it all the time. Until a couple agreed to be exclusive, it wasn’t wrong either. But I had always been the type of person who fell hard for one guy and then forgot about everyone else.
Until now.
Where Maddox called to that carnal desire deep in my core, one that made me want to ride him nine ways to Sunday, my attraction to Briar was softer, like moonlight kissing flower petals.
With a small forward push of my head, I kissed him. The boldness of it shocked me. It did him too.
He shakily exhaled through his nostrils as our mouths slid together, once, twice. His hand came to rest at my nape, and he gently brought our bodies closer. His soft kisses and tender touches made me feel… special. Cared for. Like this was more than a lust-driven attraction.
Briar tasted like raspberries, as if he’d had a glass of wine before going flower picking. I dipped my tongue into his mouth, wanting to taste more of him. Notes of berry and fig laced with a flavor that was all him. It was intoxicating.
“Evan,” he said under his breath and curled his fingers in the back of my hair, his kisses becoming heavier. A groan rumbled in his throat.
The sound elicited sparks of heat to surge through my bloodstream. I put my arms around his neck and fell backward in the grass, taking him with me. He smiled against my lips as he settled on top of me and cupped my face in one hand.
We kissed surrounded by a field of glowing blossoms. My heart fluttered like hummingbirds’ wings with each pass of his mouth on mine. Minutes ticked by as we lost ourselves in the taste of each other. Without a doubt, I knew I could live for a thousand years and never experience anything more romantic than that moment with Briar.
“It’s late,” he whispered much too soon, pulling back a little. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
“Already?”
Briar breathed out a laugh before kissing me again, softer than before. He then glided the tip of his nose across mine. “If this continues for much longer, I fear I’ll start ripping off your clothes.”
My cock twitched. “I mean… I wouldn’t mind.”
“The captain of the Second Order might not have reserves about moving so quickly, yet I prefer to take my time and treat you right.”
“Was that a stab at Maddox?” I almost laughed.
Briar only grinned before helping me to my feet.
“I can find my way back on my own,” I said. “You need to pick more of these Night Kisses while they’re in bloom.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yep.” Being alone would give my heart a much-needed reprieve. Because it might explode at this point. I took a step back, keeping our gazes locked. “I’ll be in your clinic bright and early tomorrow.”
“I look forward to it.”
So did I.
As I found the path toward the courtyard, my mind raced. I was torn between two men. A dilemma I never thought I’d find myself in. They were complete opposites. Ice and fire. Rough and smooth. But both of them intense in their own way. Those thoughts continued to run through my head long after I crawled into bed.
I tossed and turned, unable to find a comfortable position.
