Like you’re doing any better.
Losing Iris was a harsh blow, but it isn’t the only one. It’s been an endless circle of misery and now it’s all culminated into one big wound.
Arya turns once we’re outside. The top of her head reaches just shy of my shoulders. Blinking up at me, she smiles.
It enchants me yet again.
“Thanks again, Nathan.” In a teasing voice, she rasps, “Ulterior motive or not, you are a gentleman.”
My lips twitch as I shake my head. “Want me to call a cab?”
“I drove here.”
“I’ll walk you to your car.”
She hefts her string purse higher on her arm. “You don’t have to.”
“Didn’t you call me bossy?”
Her cheeks pinken. “You weren’t supposed to hear that.”
“Tell me where you’re parked, Arya.”
We fall into a stroll as she points to the very last SUV in the second row. We’re crossing to the other side when I see a car speeding toward us, no hint of slowing down.
Arya is staring ahead, oblivious to it.
She takes another step, straight into the path of the vehicle.
“Arya!” I grab her elbow, yanking her to me and flipping us around just as the driver races past into the traffic. “Motherfuck-”
A soft whimper pulls my focus from the road.
I look down at a wildly shaking Arya. Her head is buried against my chest as she fists the lapels of my jacket.
“Hey,” I rasp gently, stroking her back. “You’re okay. Shh…”
She continues to tremble in shock.
Wrapping both my arms around her, I hug her tightly until the last aftershock ebbs. Threading my fingers through her locks, I tip her head back. “Angel.”
She fixes her striking eyes on mine, the color as dark as melted chocolate.
I cup one side of her face, my thumb teasing her bottom lip. The skin is so cottony soft and plush. My teeth ache to take a bite.
The urge comes out of nowhere.
The fuck?
I release her, ready to step back, when she stretches up on her toes and presses her lips against mine. I’m swarmed by her scent, a dizzying combination of jasmine and vanilla, as our bodies flush against each other’s. Her soft curves fit perfectly against my hard muscles.
I’ve barely processed her bold move when she shyly kisses my lips. A light peck that I feel in my bones.
It jolts me to my senses.
Spanning her waist with both my hands, I push her away.
Our eyes lock.
