"Now you're just teasing."
I cock my head to the side and study him intently. "Is it teasing if I fully intend to see it through?"
He pulls me closer to him without waiting for further instruction, causing our body armour to clink as it touches. My eyes flutter closed as Archie leans in and presses his lips against mine.
I'm swept away in the moment, unable to think about anything other than how right this feels. I've kissed people before, but it's never been like this. There's a connection between us that can't be faked.
He nips at my bottom lip, sending a bolt of need through me. I'm not even sure what it is that I want most, probably just to be closer to him. I wrap my arms around his neck, completely ignoring the shooters that are hanging by both of our sides.
He pulls back but doesn't take his arms from around me. We look into one another's eyes, both of us lost in the moment.
"I intended to wait until after the date to do that," he whispers.
A small chuckle escapes me. "I'm glad you didn't. But if you think this is instead of kissing me at the end of our date, you're kidding yourself."
"I plan to kiss you many more times than that."
"Good. I'm glad that's all settled. But I'm not done now." I press my lips against his, kissing him deeper this time and hopefully leaving no doubt that I enjoyed the first kiss, and am very much okay with sharing more of them.
His hand grazes against my wings as he moves it against my back, sending a pleasant shiver through me in response. If I'm already responding like this to his touch, then I can't wait to experience more.
"Got you this time!" The shout cuts through our kiss and we pull back.
"Should be paying attention and not making out!" one of the other players calls.
Archie chuckles. "Worth it."
A wide smile spreads over my face. "Definitely."
"But I don't want to lose," he says. "So how about we pause the kissing for now, and come back to it in a bit."
I let out an amused laugh. "Okay. But only because I want to win just as much." Though I don't really care if we do. This has already been a great date, and I can't wait for what comes next.
Chapter 9
ARCHIE
I'm almost disappointed when we step back into the castle, especially as it means that our date is over.
"I had a good time," Lottie says. "You can plan more fun dates in the future."
I laugh. "Good to know. There's a mini-golf course near here that we could go to."
"Mini-golf?"
"Yes. Though I should warn you, I'm good at golf," I say.
"As good as you are at magi-tag?" she teases.
We pass several other students as we enter the entrance hall, both of us walking far slower than we should.
"I am good at magi-tag."
"Our participation trophy says differently." She lifts up the plastic gold-coloured trophy.
"I'd be good under other circumstances," I assure her. Not that I'm complaining. Each and every kiss had been worth it.
"So, do I get to keep the trophy, or are you going to claim it?" she asks, brushing her shoulder against mine as she leans closer.
