“You’re still insufferable.”
She laughed. “I think you enjoy it.”
There was a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Maybe.” He dipped his head slightly, a few dark locks of hair falling into his eyes. Lora fought against the instinct to sweep them back. “Okay, fine, is someone waiting for you to return? A…lover?”
“No.” Lora glanced away. “Are you and Sahalie…”
“Over,” Eyden said in a rush as Lora’s eyes snapped back to his.
She hid her smile.
Eyden brushed his fingers through his hair, his smile fading just a bit. “You don’t have to answer right away but…do you think you’d ever come back? Even though Liraen has been pretty awful to you.”
This was it. Her chance to bring up the matter of crossing. The lie was dancing on her tongue and somehow, she swallowed it yet again. “Not everything was awful.”
His eyes met hers with a newfound intensity. Was it hope she was reading in the warmth shining through the icy blue? Could he see hers reflecting back at him? She wondered if he noticed how her heart sped up. How her skin turned flush as her mind unwillingly went back to last night.
Her phone went off again, interrupting the moment. Lora’s eyes darted to the screen as she read Maja’s new message. “Just wanted to add, stay careful. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. And doeverythingI would do.” Several hearts and smirking emoji were attached. Lora chuckled at the insinuation.
When she looked back up, slipping her phone into her jacket pocket, Eyden’s eyes had darkened and his smile had slipped.
“It’s my best friend, Maja. She was telling me to…be careful,” Lora said, diffusing whatever Eyden had imagined.
He relaxed his shoulders, eyes shining again. “Really? Is that all she said?”
Well, she wasn’t going to get into that. “It’s the important part.”
Eyden didn’t seem convinced. “Does she know what you’re up to?”
“She’s the only one who knows I joined your rescue mission.” Maja’s questions about her relationship with Eyden were taking over her mind. Lora nervously played with the chain of her necklace. “And she’s intrigued about you…and I.” Apparently, she was getting into that after all.
Eyden’s eyes blazed with intrigue. “What did you tell her about me…us?”
“Enough to make her curious.” She bit her lip, shutting herself up. Eyden was quietly assessing her. Where was she going with this conversation? This wasn’t what they were supposed to be discussing.
A brilliant grin formed on Eyden’s face. It was the greatest distraction. “Did you tell her about my dazzling eyes?”
“What?” Confusion took over her. Then mortification. “I—you can’t take anything I said in that fight seriously!”
“Oh, I take all compliments very seriously. Weren’t you counting compliments?” Lora was saved from replying as Eyden continued on, “Well, so am I. And I think I’m winning.”
“I’m going to have to strongly disagree with you. Besides, I said that in a heated moment. I wasn’t thinking clearly.” Lora could feel her cheeks heat. She wasn’t thinking clearly now either. “It doesn’t count.”
Eyden’s lazy smirk increased, turning devious. “Heated, huh? Tell me, what kind of moment are we having now?”
“I…” The logical part of her brain told her they were veering off topic even as her eyes flickered to his lips. “There’s still more we should talk about.”
“There is, yes.” Eyden took a step forward and lowered his head, looking her straight in the eyes. The mix of vulnerability and desire reflected back at her made her breath hitch. His voice turned deep and husky. “But right now, haven’t we done enough talking?”
Silent seconds ticked by. Lora’s brain felt fried, trying hard to stay on track. It was true that they still needed to talk—and soon. But wasn’t there time later?
She could tell him after the rescue mission. When there was no danger lurking before them in the morning. Lora dimly realised she was making excuses, but she too had had enough of talking. Thinking clearly was overrated.
“Maybe.” A smirk lit up her face as she casually leaned against the tree behind her. Waiting, her stomach fluttering. Her smile was a silent invitation and Eyden didn’t hesitate.
Wordlessly, he took a slow, deliberate step towards her. Sparks of electricity hung between them, heating her skin. Their breaths mingled. Their eyes locked. Trapped in the pale, stormy ocean of his eyes, Lora wanted to get swept up in the waves. In this crazy connection that stretched between them, pulling them together against all odds.
Eyden reached out first, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. His hand lingered for a moment, brushing her cheek. Her breath caught as he drew closer, lightly kissing the corner of her mouth. Eyden’s lips felt like soft velvet on her skin. She couldn’t help but wonder what they would feel like elsewhere. The anticipation might kill her. Did he feel as dazed, as desperate, as she did?
