Vivienne exhaled, a wave of relief washing over her. “I know this isn’t what we wanted years ago.”
“What do you wantnow?” His right hand slid from her shoulder to her face, his thumb grazing her chin as he tilted it up. “I’ve always been clear about what I wanted. I wanted you.” His voice was hushed yet insistent. “You said you ended things due to practicalities, but you didn’t say your feelings changed.”
Shit.Vivienne was not prepared to have this part of the conversation. She’d locked her heart away years ago to protect herself. To protect her decision to end things. Him standing this close to her threatened her resolve. The chemistry between them had always made her less rational.
“Do you still have feelings for me? If you don’t, I’ll walk away… but don’t lie to me.” He scanned her face, watching every cue.
She tried to shake her head, but his grip kept her still. “Cirrus, it’s more complicated than?—”
“Gods, Banns, just answer the question,” he murmured, his mouth a breath away. “Yes, or no?”
Her pulse hammered as he edged closer. “It doesn’t matter what I feel?—”
“I’m not hearing a no,” he whispered against her lips.
“…It’s not a no,” she breathed.
In an instant his lips were on hers. Slow, searching, stirring up everything she’d buried. The warmth of his touch sent fire through her veins as she leaned into him, her hands finding his chest. The kiss deepened, unraveling years of restraint in a single moment.
Just as suddenly, he pulled away. His smile was knowing, breathless. “Definitely not a no.”
Cirrus turned and walked away, leaving Vivienne standing there, hands hovering in the empty space where he’d been. Her fingertips brushed her lips, tingling from the kiss.
With her heart still racing, she forced herself to move, hurrying to keep him in sight through the labyrinth of trees.Vivienne, what have you done?
22
Vivienne and Cirrus stepped into camp as dusk settled over the canopy. Her thoughts swirled around the kiss, what it meant to him, what she wanted it to mean to her.
Lewis, sitting near the medical station, jumped to his feet the moment he spotted them. “Viv! How’d it go?” His voice was upbeat but held a kernel of anxiety.
“It was…” she hesitated.
Cirrus raised a flirtatious eyebrow, interested to see how she’d respond.
“Enlightening,” she declared, forcing a neutral expression.
Lewis gave her a quizzical look. “We’ll take ‘enlightening.’ The captain and commander wanted to see you both once you got back.”
Cirrus placed a hand on Vivienne’s lower back. “Banns, let’s debrief now, then we can relax.”
She resented the butterflies swirling in her stomach. “Sure.”
Vivienne stepped forward, displacing Cirrus’ touch, but not before Lewis caught the gesture, his glare sharpening on Cirrus.
“I’ll come with you,” Lewis announced.
“No need, Blume,” Cirrus countered.
Lewis’ tight smile didn’t waver. “Oh, it’s no trouble at all. I insist.”
They approached the makeshift table, where Captain Garrett and Commander Thorne reviewed charts. Vivienne noted the subtle way Thorne scanned her, assessing for any signs of injury—or worse. His shoulders relaxed, satisfied with his evaluation.
“Glad to see you both in one piece,” Captain Garrett greeted. “No poisonous snacks? No beasts making a meal of you?” He chuckled. “Blume, you spent most of the day sorting, right?”
Lewis nodded. “Yes, Captain. Dr. Mercer and I verified everything that was safe to eat and discarded anything questionable.”
“Splendid!” The captain clapped his hands together. “Now, Miss Banner, Mr. Theodosia, what have we learned?”
