He lets out a small laugh. "You're a princess, Evie. You could give anyone what they need." He closes the gap between us.
"I know you don't love me because I'm a princess."
"You're right, I don't. But that doesn't change the fact you are one."
"And that doesn't scare you? That I'm a princess, and I love you, and I want to be more than friends?"
"It scares me," he says softly. "But not for the reasons you think. I spent every day I was gone thinking about you. Whenever I made something new, I was thinking about how I could tell you about it, or what it would be like to make it with you. Then there would be the reminder that we were in a different place, and that wasn't possible. It hurt more than I ever thought it would."
"It was the same for me," I whisper. "I missed you."
"That's what scares me," he says. "I don't want to lose you, Evie."
"You're not going to lose me," I promise. "I don't want to lose you either. I want you to stay in Falhaven. I want you to stay with me." Saying the words I wish I'd said five years ago when he left makes me feel so much lighter than I could ever have expected.
"I am staying." He reaches for my hand and takes it with his. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Good." I look up at him, feeling so much calmer than I have in weeks.
"I have another question," Nate says.
"What is it?"
"How do you feel about being kissed?"
I chew on my bottom lip. "I don't think anyone's asked me that."
"You said that you didn't really feel a desire to have sex, I want to know if that's the same for kisses."
"Oh, no. I would like it if you kissed me," I respond. "If that's what you want."
"Very much so." He puts a hand on my waist and pulls me closer. His touch is firm but gentle, making it clear that I can put a stop to this any time I want to.
But I don't. I want to kiss him. I've thought about it so many times that I need to find out what it's like.
He uses his free hand to cup my cheek and draws me closer. The air around us is heavy with promise, and it only makes me want this more.
My eyes flutter closed as his lips brush against mine. The touch is gentle, with a reverence I don't expect from the times I've kissed someone before. But I suppose none of those kisses shared any feelings, not like this.
I wrap my arms around his neck and deepen the kiss, wanting him to know that I want this, and that it's not something I'm saying just because I think I'm supposed to.
The firm press of his hand against my back is a welcome pressure, and a reminder that he's a safe person, a safe place, and that this is everything I want it to be.
He pulls away from the kiss, but doesn't let go of his hold on me. My lips tingle and I reach up to touch them, very aware of what we just did.
"Was that all right?" he asks.
I nod. "Yes. Very all right. Was it for you?"
"It was better than any time I ever imagined kissing you," he admits.
"You thought about that?"
"Yes."
"I did too."
Surprise registers on his face. "That isn't what I expected you to say."
