“And what about me? Do you also have a low opinion of yours truly?”
His gaze traveled over my face, down my braid, and all the way to my toes. My skin heated, my flesh pebbling. Even though he wasn’t touching me, his look held weight, as though he’d seared me.
“I do not have a low opinion of you, Miss Hollaran.”
I released a breath. I suddenly felt lightheaded. “Well, I’m glad to hear that, because I find you quite charming despite your grumpy demeanor.”
His eyebrow arched, and I almost pointed out again that his face had moved.
“Grumpy demeanor? I’ve heard that before, but charming? That’s a first.”
“You are charming. At least, I think so. Perhaps it’s the stoic warrior persona you’ve adapted. I quite like it.”
“Is that right?”
“Indeed. I haven’t met many warriors.”
I could have sworn that he was working to suppress a smile. “Have you ever met any?”
I cocked my head and tapped my chin. “Come to think of it, no. You’re the first.” I beamed at him, and for the very first time since meeting him, his lips curved, ever so slightly, as though his smile was on the precipice of being revealed.
I held my breath, waiting for his lips to arch into a true smile, but then Felix called, “Prim! Come on, love! I’ve been missing you!”
In a blink, Kole’s expression vanished. I turned my attention back to the dance floor. Kole did too. His nostrils flared slightly as he watched the Faewood fairy.
“It looks like your future husband is beckoning you.”
Sure enough, Felix was moving to the beat toward the edge of the crowd. He was smiling and swaying, his eyes on me, and his finger crooked, encouraging me to return to him.
But I didn’t want to join him again. I wasn’t here to dance and flirt, despite the fact that I strangely loved flirting with Kole. It was late. My uncle was dying, and I needed to get up early and head into the Wildland Mountains at dawn. Being groggy and having cobwebs congealing my thoughts from too much drinking and dancing was a sure way to end up dead before the day was over, especially since I was traveling alone.
“Another time!” I called to Felix.
His jaw dropped, and he brought a hand to his heart. Then he staggered back as though I’d shot him with an arrow.
I laughed again, unable to help it, and playfully blew him a kiss.
Felix caught my imaginary air kiss and brought it to his lips.
I chuckled and rolled my eyes.
At my side, Kole was watching Felix again, his attention zeroed in on the fairy who was once more dancing the night away.
“I think I’ll be off then.” I stood to leave, and surprisingly, Kole did too. As before, once he rose to his full height, the warrior towered over me. “Are you heading out as well?” I asked him.
“I am.”
“Do you want to join me on my walk back to the inn, since we’re inn buddies and all?” I elbowed him playfully, then grabbed my cloak and slung it over my forearm.
The warrior nodded toward the door. “After you.”
I turned away, and something warm pressed into my lower back. The second I realized what it was, I nearly stumbled. Kole had placed his hand on my lower back to guide me toward the door.
Heat seared through my top, and my flesh tightened at the feel of his large palm. All at once, the memory of our kiss came blazing back to me, like a meteor shooting right through my body. Our shared kiss had been so hot, and this male had been able to make my entire body sing.
Kole’s hand instantly fell away. “Sorry,” he said gruffly. “I didn’t mean to?—”
“No, it’s fine.” I gave him a shaky smile over my shoulder and wondered why my lower belly was suddenly tightening or why my breaths felt shallow. He’d simply placed his hand on my lower back. That was it. Felix had put his hands all over me tonight, and it hadn’t caused even the slightest reaction in me. But one touch from the warrior, and my body turned on fire. “You just took me by surprise. That’s all.”
