I swallow, pulse hammering. The words slip out before I can stop them. “If…if we ever… You know. Would you be gentle?”
“If?” His brows cinch together.
Rhys brushes his thumb along my jaw. His normally bright golden eyes have suddenly turned dark as midnight.
“Yes, Fallon,” he says softly. “Our first timewillbe gentle.”
My breath snags. “Good.”
“The second time, I won’t be.” His mouth swoops next to my ear. “I hope you can handle me.”
A shiver darts down my spine like lightning. “And if I can’t?”
He blinks a few times. “You’re stronger than you think. But if it’s too much, then you tell me. I will never hurt you or force you to do something you don’t want. Patience is my brand.”
‘Because he’s an assassin,’Basil loves to remind me.
I don’t even dignify that with a side eye. I can’t break the stare from Rhys, or he’ll stop looking at me and talking this sweet but dirty talk.
“When?” I squeak.
“When you’re ready.” He strokes my hair. “I’ve waited all this time, too.”
“True.” He hasn’t wanted to get close to anyone. But he’s willing to get close to me.
A shadow crosses over his face. “Fallon, refresh my memory. How did I ask you to be my girlfriend?”
My throat tightens. How do I tell him that I don’t really remember because my memory is spotty from the anxiety attack?
Covering, I say, “You just did.”
“I must have been very nervous.”
“Me, too,” I snort. “It’s not every day an assassin asks you to go steady. I wrote it in my journal that night.”
“Journal?” His breath seems to escape him.
“I used to keep a journal.”
“Why did you stop?”
“These greenies turned out to be better listeners.” I hold up Basil. “Yes, I’m giving you a compliment, you grump.”
Rhys laughs and flicks his leaves.
‘If he touches me again…’
“I’m glad you’ve had them all this time, Fal,” Rhys keeps going. “I’m sorry I wasn’t around.”
“You’ve been busy, I know.” I put down Basil and hug my boyfriend. “But you’re here now. You’ve made up for it.”
In ways I never could have dreamed.
“Get dressed, let’s have that date.” He nudges me. “You have me excited to skate.”
You have me excited for a lot more…
“Oh wait, I have something to show you.” I bounce into my bedroom area to grab the holiday pajamas I ordered.
