‘Just checking to see if your beauty routine worked,’ she replied.
‘Did it?’
‘Yes,’ she breathed.
‘Oh, thank god.’
She threw her head back and laughed, and as she did, she saw the lights hanging above them. Everything was golden against the night, a juxtaposition of light and dark, and he was the brightest light of all.
Bisma began playing with the ends of his hair, unable to help herself. They were so close now, their bodies pressed together. She felt the heat of his skin. She could almost feel the pound of his heart.
They were aligned, moving together to the music. It was an effort to keep her mouth away from his as their feet moved slowly, swaying. She could almost taste the cloves on his skin.
She wanted to kiss him and could see he wanted it too. His gaze dropped to her lips, his eyes growing darker by the moment. He clenched his jaw as she inched closer, her nose grazing his.
He took a shuddering breath, and they stopped dancing. She stood on her tiptoes, lifting her head to meet his, anticipation thrumming within her.
Just as her lips brushed his, he let out a strangled gasp and stepped back.
Oh, Forest. Had she misread the situation that badly?
Her heart hammered. Clearing her throat, Bisma looked around, the noise of the gathering coming back to her. Suddenly, everything felt too bright—bright enough to burn.
‘Maybe we should get back to the greenhouse,’ she said, her voice high.
He opened his mouth, about to say something—but then he pressed his lips into a line, clenching his jaw, and nodded.
Taking a deep breath, Bisma exited the town square, Xander trailing behind her. She thought she felt the phantom touch of his hand at the end of her hair, along her dress, but she didn’t turn.
Walking away from all the noise, they made their way to Xander’s neighborhood, cutting through the back to reach his greenhouse at the back of the Chapman Estate. The minute they entered, Xander discarded his coat, throwing it onto a chair. He ran a hand through his hair, making it messy.
He was agitated, but she couldn’t understand why.
‘Maybe I should go,’ she said, though she didn’t want to.
His eyes widened. He crossed the room in two strides and caught her hand.
‘No, don’t,’ he said, his voice low. He drew her near. ‘Back there … I wanted—Iwantto. But I didn’t want you to think that’s why I asked you to the dance. I know it’s largely regarded as the most “romantic” night of the year, to put it delicately, but that wasn’t my intention—I just wanted to dance with you, spend time with you. See you laugh. And I know you don’t want to be flaunted in front of the whole village—’
He was speaking quickly, his cheeks pink, and she realized he was nervous.Oh!She was so used to confident Xander, with hisendless flirtations and clever remarks; this version of him was impossibly endearing.
Her chest glowed with warmth.
‘It’s alright,’ she said, smiling. She saw his pulse racing in his exposed throat. She wanted to press her lips just there. ‘I know that wasn’t your intent, but if you’re quite done with all your good intentions …’
She put her hands on his shoulders, moving them up to his neck. He was trembling, and she rose to her tiptoes again, pressing a kiss to his throat feeling his pulse beat against her lips. He gasped.
‘Actually,’ she said, opening her mouth to run her teeth over his skin. His eyelids fluttered, his head tipping back. ‘If you have anybadintentions, I really wouldn’t be opposed …’
His gaze snapped to hers. ‘I don’t want to pressure you,’ he said softly.
She gave him an incensed look. ‘Why are you arguing with me?’
He blinked, her words sinking in. ‘You’re absolutely right,’ he said, as if in a daze. His eyes were dark.
‘Aren’t I always?’
He did not waste another second. He seized her face with both his hands and crushed his lips to hers.
