“So if I almost died, you’d kiss me in front of everyone?”
A smile tugs at her lips to match the grin in his voice. “Probably.”
“How near death are we talking? Just so I know.”
She snaps her gaze toward his laughing eyes. “Cerian!”
“I’m joking.”
“You’re the one who barely kissed me at our wedding.”
“It seems I owe you a kiss, then. Shall we re-enact that scene the way we did the cake cutting?”
“Stars above. My mother would faint.”
“We could instruct her to sit first.”
“Cerian!” Arisanna buries her face in his shoulder and tries not to laugh. “Please tell me you’re not serious.”
“About kissing you? I’m always serious about kissing you.”
She just leans against him and smiles. Then she stills.
He can’t lie to her.
“Your heart sped up again,” he whispers.
She lifts her head to look into his eyes. Is he asking her to kiss him? Here?
His gaze slips briefly to her lips, and her heart pounds.
When he looks into her eyes again, there’s no pressure there. Only longing. And love. A magnetic connection that pulls her toward him.
His breath is warm on her face as she leans closer, tilting her head.
Don’t think. Just feel.
As she hovers near his lips, a faint smokiness fills her senses. He does want to kiss her. But he doesn’t press his lips to hers or pull her closer. He waits for her to decide.
Hopefully, no one is looking. Especially not Mother.
Is she really planning to kiss him? Right here?
Why shouldn’t she kiss him? She’s a Westaria now. She’s seen Cerian’s parents kiss outside in front of everyone. And Viala kisses Tharios all the time. Clearly, this is normal.
But she can’t seem to close the distance between them. He’ll have to do it.
“Kiss me,” she whispers.
And he doesn’t even hesitate. His lips are there, warm against hers, and her heart races. She can barely breathe. Before she can fully process what’s happening, he pulls away. Their eyes meet, and he looks shocked.
Stars above. Did that really happen?
His shock morphs into a grin, and he wraps his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close to his side again before whispering in her ear, “I’m not sure they need us here. Perhaps we should retire early. Get a good night’s sleep.”
Biting her lip, she nods.
He has no intention of sleeping any time soon, and they both know it. No one seems to be watching as they rise and tiptoe to the door.
