Dropping his hands into his lap, he stared at me with anincredulouslook at my relentless push to remain right here with himandmildconfusion that Iwasn’trunning for the hills, valleys, or furthest corners of the cosmos.
He leaned forward again, elbows propped on his knees. “You know, for a goddess who deals with desire, you do a shit job of reading when people don’t want?—”
Refusing to allow him further protest, I pitched myself forward.My lips collided with his, unapologetic in their endeavor to pour what desire I could call my own into the act.
He tensed, remaining rigid for all of three heartbeats before he returned the kiss with equal fervor. Passion igniting between our mouths, tongues clashed in a compromising dance of push and pull.
I rested my hand on the side of his face, a tender hold.Eryx, however, possessively slid his hand onto the back of my neck, tethering me to him.
When we both split for air, I was taken off guard by a genuine chuckle from him.
“What’s so funny?” I asked, both amused and braced to potentially go on the defensive.
“For once,I’venever seen chaos so willing to be bound by desire.It seems youmanaged to put a piece of me into a cage,Heartspite.” His tone suggested thatitwas one hedidn’tmind being captive.
Warmth spread across my cheeks. “Didn’t mean to.” I wasn’t sure if it was something I should have apologized for or not, so I settled for distracting myself by straightening his silver tie.
The contented expression on my face faded as my mind reeled into its own version of chaos.
Eryx grabbed my chin and lifted it, not forcefully but with encouragement to face him and whatever turbulent thoughtsspiraledinside my head.
“I want to know what you’re feeling, Charlee.”
“Sadness.” The admission felt shameful given how much we both had overcome.
His brows knit together, and something protective crept into his posture. “Why?”
“I can’t give you what you deserve, I can’t give your heart what it should have,” I explained as though it should have been obvious.
Eryx took my hand and pressed my palm against the hardened muscle of his chest, where underneathflesh and bone lay a heart beating its own unique rhythm. “Don’t you see? You already have.”
Even as he still held my chin with his other hand, I shook my head. “I will never be able to match myself with you. You should find someone whose heart can synchronize with yours.”
Softening the look on his face, he released me. “Idon’tneed the discord in my heart to besteadied.I need someone who can guide it into something greater.” He paused, taking the opportunity to press a sweet kisstomy forehead. “That person is you, Charlee.”
I choked out a sob. “You don’t get it. Others have hearts made of flesh and desire. Mine? May as well be a rare gem, hardened crystal that looks pretty but never functional.”
When Eryx stood, I was certain he was going to abandon me here. I wouldn’t have blamed him either.
I startled when he kicked his chair back with enough force that it nearly toppled right over.
Then, he dropped to both knees before me,andhis hands found mine in my lap, looking at me with nothing but utter devotion.
“If your heart is precious enough to be a rare gem, then let me be the one to put it in a titanium setting. I’ll turn it into a ring and promise.” His hands squeezed mine, planting several light kisses to my fingertips. “A promise that you won’t just have a god on his knees, but a man willing to hand you all his broken pieces.”
My breath caught at his vow of devotion, hisacceptance of me as the goddess I was. His goddess. HisHeartspite. Because throughout all of this, somehow I had managed to spite the nature of my own heart.
Moisture welled up in my eyes, spilling over onto my cheeks. I refused to sever the connection of our hands, leaving the tears to fall where they may.
“You’re stupid,” I croaked out, part laugh and part exasperation, echoing his earlier words.
A broad smile donned his lips, and he rose off the floor, tugging me to my feet as well.
He looked at the vintage two-bell alarm clock situated on the nightstand. Two minutes after midnight. Eryx then stared into my eyes, pressing his forehead to mine.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Charlee,” he murmured against my lips.
I let out a shaky breath, wavering from the residual emotions wrapping around my heart. Unable to resist, Inipped athis lower lip. “Careful. Thatalmost sounded like a promise to invest in bushels of rose petals, expensive champagne, andridiculously-sizedstuffed bears.”
