“Thank you for tonight,” he says after a moment, his voice soft. “It really meant a lot.”
“It meant a lot to me too,” I reply.
We reach the spot where our paths will part, and for a moment, neither of us moves.
Pink turns to me, his expression unreadable. The porch light casts a soft glow over his face, highlighting the sculpture of his cheekbones, the gentle slope of his nose.
“I had a wonderful time,” I say, my voice catching slightly.
“Me too,” he murmurs.
There’s a pause, a heartbeat of silence that stretches impossibly long. I don’t know who moves first, but suddenly we’re leaning closer, the space between us shrinking until I can feel the warmth of his breath against my skin. I think I’m about to kiss Pink. Our first kiss. My first kiss.
My heart pounds wildly, and I can see the same nervous energy mirrored in Pink’s eyes.
But then, just as our lips are about to meet, he freezes. His eyes dart away, and a flicker of panic crosses his face.
I pull back immediately, my stomach twisting with a mix of disappointment and understanding. After everything he has been through, it is not at all surprising that this is daunting for him.
“It’s okay,” I say gently, giving him a reassuring smile.
We have had sex a thousand times, but we have never been intimate. We were both raised in Old Blood Families, trained to think of sex as a duty. Tied to magical needs. Nothing at all to do with emotions.
Whereas a date, followed by a kiss? That is everything to do with emotions. It is nothing either of us have been taught how to deal with. Nevermind all the trauma of the harem.
Pink exhales shakily, his shoulders sagging with relief. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.
“Don’t be,” I reply. “There’s no rush.”
And there really isn’t. As long as Pink is in my life, and there is hope he might want us to become more, I’m happy. It’s everything I need.
He looks at me then, gratitude shining in his eyes. “Thank you,” he says softly.
I nod, stepping back to give him space. “Goodnight, Pink.”
“Goodnight,” he says, his voice barely audible.
As he walks away, I watch him until he disappears into the house, my heart still racing. Despite the failed kiss, I can’t help but feel hopeful. Tonight was a beginning, and sometimes, beginnings take time.
Chapter eighteen
Pink
Oh my goodness! I feel as if I’m walking on clouds! I nearly kissed Monty! We had such a wonderful date. I could burst into song.
Conversation flowed. We laughed and chuckled. Discovered that we both love children.
He didn’t even mind at all when I chickened out of kissing. He merely accepted it calmly, like the wonderful man that he is.
I stumble to a halt outside Jade’s door. The empty silence on the other side of it is profound.
Oh.
My mood dims. My feet took me to my friend, but he is no longer here. He is on the run and I don’t know when I will ever see him again.
I can’t tell him all about my wonderful evening with Monty.
I take a deep breath. It’s okay. It is what it is. But I don’t want to lose this glow Monty has given me. I’ll go share everything with Lello instead.
