“I would have wiped the powdered sugar from the corner of your lips,” he continued, his voice softer, “felt the beat of your heart beneath my fingertips on your wrist." His touch whispered against her skin, and her breath heightened.
"The music would have picked up or slowed down, and I would have led you to the middle of the floor, where I would have held on to you until the pull of us became so much I would have had to stop only to stare at your laughing face. I would have brushed my thumb against your jaw, held your face a breath from mine, and told you I'd noticed no other since walking into this room. I would have told you how your spinning in this dress had me mesmerized the entire night—” He paused, his fingers curling around the fabric of her sleeves, and his lashes lifted.
Nyssa cleared her throat to snap herself out of her own daze. “And that would have secured my place in your bed?” she asked.
He huffed amusedly under his breath, the dominating facade breaking, and he hung his head briefly. “Probably not with you. But it would have left an impression.”
“An impression is all you need, isn’t it?”
“Always leave them wanting more,” he said with a wink.
For a moment, she couldn't move. Couldn't blink. She didn't know if perhaps it was the story Nadir had just told, how she'd imagined every word he'd said, picturing herself in his arms as he danced with her around that room... Wiping icing from her mouth, his thumb stroking her jaw, his arms around her... But she wanted it.
She wanted it terribly.
The dilation in his eyes, the softening of his smile, the bob of his throat as his hand brushed her arm again... None of that was helping her stay away from him despite everything her sister had said.
"I think I need some air," she finally determined.
Nadir blinked, breath leaving him. "Yeah. Me too."
She pushed off the wall and strode out the double doors, making her way with him behind her to the terrace at the end of the hall that overlooked the whole of the kingdom. Nyssa didn't stop when the night air hit her face. She kept walking until she hit the railing. Her hands gripped the stone banister, and she closed her eyes, allowing the sea breeze to hit her cheeks. Moons’ light cascaded down over her, and when she finally turned, she found Nadir standing in the middle of the open space.
"I was right," he said, stepping slowly towards her.
"About what?"
"You being the most dangerous person in that room."
He paused a breath away. She could see the battle he was having with himself in his features. Her cheeks flushed, heartbeat in her ears, fingers stretching at her sides as she itched to touch him. She allowed her hands to breeze his stomach, toying with his shirt, and then she felt his fingertips graze the back of her arm.
“This is a really bad idea,” Nadir breathed.
Her eyes rose to his, head tilting back. His breath was sweet on her skin as his head bent, causing her heart to pound.
“Very bad,” she agreed.
“I think you lured me out here just to be alone with me,” he continued.
She almost laughed, the smile on his lips so close to hers that her chest caved. "I didn't tell you to follow."
Her heart did a somersault as his other hand touched her waist. Mouth opening and closing in front of him, battling with the decision to let herself have him or respect her sister’s wishes. His forehead pressed to hers, and her chest fell with the jaggedness of her breath.
She was going to explode from the tension of having him so close to her.
"How could I have possibly resisted any moment alone with you?"
His words sent her spinning. Before she gave herself a moment to reconsider, she grasped his tunic in her hands, and she pressed her lips to his.
It was the most horribly beautiful idea she'd ever had.
A very bad—oh, but very good— idea.
She could feel the surprise in his features, but after a second, he groaned into her mouth, and his arms locked around her. His tongue slipped in her mouth, and she found herself in another realm. Arms wrapping around his neck, she pulled him closer. Heat pulsed from her chest down between her legs. Every sweep of his tongue sent her spiraling deeper. She was sure her heart would burst at the nerves threading through her.
Water over her head. Lungs tight. Muscles feigning.
She was drowning in his embrace.
