His eyes cast down to me. “You’d fit right in. I’d like to plant a few more in this color.” He slides the silky fabric on the cuff of my sleeve between his thumb and forefinger.
For some reason, I blush. He drops his hand and then bends down. He runs his fingers over a dark blue petal and then a purple. I just watch, letting the quiet moment stretch as long as physically possible.
Then, Jarron plucks a pure black flower and stands. He reaches out and tucks the short stem into the side knot of my curls. “Perfect,” he whispers.
And holy crap-oly. I think I literally swoon. The powerful demon prince, threatening to disembowel anyone who’d dare threaten me, picking me flowers and putting them in my hair. How does a girl not fall for that?
The sizzle of magic tinges the air, and I find Jarron staring at me, eyes solid black. I should fear him, but I don’t.
His thumb gently slides down the side of my jaw. “You’re absolutely incredible, you know that?”
My stomach flutters. “I’m not all that convinced.” But I can’t keep my eyes from his, can’t get over that look. There are a lot of questions that remain about our relationship, but there are a few things I cannot deny.
Jarron cares about me.
Jarron desires me.
My heart patters in my chest as he steps closer, our gazes still locked. He leans in but pauses a breath away from our lips touching. My lungs tighten, forcing shallow gulps of air, but I don’t dare step back.
“There’s no one around to see,” I whisper breathlessly.
His lips tilt up ever so slightly. “Practice?” he asks, uncertainly.
Then, giving me every opportunity to step away, he ever so slowly bridges the distance between us until his lips graze against mine.
Instantly, there’s a zing of pleasure—and panic and hope and fear. His lips are so soft, so gentle. He slides them against mine, barely touching, then presses in just a bit tighter. My hands find his chest; his find the back of my neck.
I expect him to deepen the kiss, to take more, to intensify, but he doesn’t. He keeps at this leisurely pace as his lips explore mine. His hand is gentle on my neck. His tongue—
His tongue connects with my lower lip first, and I suck in a breath.
He pulls back immediately.No, don’t stop. He searches my face, but I don’t voice my plea.
He licks his lips, the color returning to his eyes. “Are you ready to face the wolves?”
My lips curl up, but the truth is, I’m internally praying for any excuse to stay out here. “Here is good,” I whisper.
He leans his forehead against mine. “We don’t have to stay long. Make an appearance. One dance. One kiss.” He’s whispering now. “Then, we can come back here. Or I can take you… wherever you want to go.”
I bite the inside of my lip hard. Because my first thought?
His bedroom.
Yep. I’m in really big trouble tonight.
36
Are You Convinced Yet?
All attention turnto us as we enter the packed banquet hall—yes, Elite hall has an elaborately decorated hall just for massive events like this one, and all the important alumni and the few invited students have now congregated here. We are, apparently, fashionably late.
There are world rulers here, politicians and celebrities—mostly fae—and others with more understated influence, but significant all the same. Inventors and warriors. Some of the beings here are over five hundred years old.
They are all in incredibly luxurious gowns and suits.
I feel beautiful in my green gown, but next to all of them, I’m nothing.
Except, when I’m on Jarron’s arm.
