Týr unfastened her braid and threaded his fingers through her locks. “Don’t hide your curls, I love this wild-girl look, especially the shifting colors.”
That smirk Kira had missed so much took life. Joy swept through her. She brushed back the streaked lock of pale hair falling across his brow. “I’m glad you do because what you see is what you get. I’m nothing exciting, I’m afraid. I do tend to hog the TV when my favorite show is on. Oh, and I love horror movies, cooking, and romance books.”
“Ah, the fluff stuff…”
She rolled her eyes, a wry smile tugging her lips.
“But there is more. Happiness, peace…andpleasure.” He lowered his head. “It’s what I feel when I look at you.”
Her smile faltered, her chest expanding with emotions she could no longer contain.Not fall in love?She was on a fast-track train there already.
His mouth found hers in a heart-warming kiss. The same intense connection she’d felt before spread through her once more as if their souls connected. But that was just him, the way she always became his entire focus.
Kira let herself sink into the sensation of his lips moving over hers, his tongue possessing hers. Without breaking their kiss, he pulled off her jacket, tossed it aside, and slipped his hand beneath her sweater. His callused palms swept over her back, stirring awake a heated yearning, one only he could fulfill. She ached for him.
It took her lungs needing oxygen for her to break their kiss. Kira pressed her brow to his chest. She loved how tall he was, for a change, she actually felt dainty.
She pushed back his streaked strands again, missing his natural color. Hoping to get it right, she put her hands on his chest, shut her eyes, and willed his hair back to its gorgeous wheat-tone shade. Her palms tingled. Her eyelids shot open. A smile started.
He lifted an eyebrow.
“The red’s gone.”
“Pity. I like your mark on me.”
“Really?”
He pressed his lips to her brow. “It’s from you, how could I not? What are your plans for this evening?”
She shrugged. “I have work and—”
“If you tell me you’re meeting that damn messenger without me, I’m going to be really pissed.”
“No-no. I haven’t given that much thought.” With everything that had happened between her and Týr, she’d barely had time to focus on anything else.
With a nod, he ushered her out of the dressing room and paused near the fireplace of the enormous bedroom. He took both of her hands. “There’s something I must ask you.”
Her stomach instantly compressed in trepidation at the edge to his voice. “You sound so somber. Now, I’m a little worried.”
His expression didn’t change. “Týr, what is it?”
“As much as I want you as my mate, free will, I’m told, is important to mortals. So, think real careful before you answer, Kira. If you say yes here and now, I won’t ever let you go.”
It sounded as if he were taking an oath—a vow.
“Why so serious all of a sudden?” she teased. “I’m not changing my mind.”
“You are human, so I must give you a choice.”
Okay, she didn’t know that. “I think I already proved this earlier. Besides, why would I give up the chance to drive you batshit crazy?”
A smile flickered. “You’ve already done so in the past year. But with your three-date rule, I can’t be too sure.”
“Really?” She scowled at him. “Why do you say things like that, knowing it will irritate me?”
His jaw hardened. Something flashed in those striking eyes. “Whythreedates?”
“Because I didn’t see the point in pursuing something if there was no connection. Happy now?”
