“You know how often I need hugs?”
“I do.”
“More than that.”
He chuckles, looking away and scrubbing a hand over his mouth, trying to hide a satisfied grin. “Youneedkisses?”
“Apparently.”
“How does one know that?”
I wait for him to look back, and then I smile, lifting my eyebrows. “You crave them.”
Rowan makes a noise deep in his throat, and his hand falls to his side. His eyes capture mine, and both my heart rate and my magic spike.
I can feel the bond pulling us together. It’s like we’re magnetized. The closer we get, the closer I want to be.
He jerks his chin up, beckoning me. “Come here.”
It’s a command—ayummycommand. I close the space between us, shimmering, desperate for him to touch me.
Once I reach him, I look up, waiting.
“You want it?” he asks, his voice slightly gruff despite the playful tone. “Then take it.”
My magic sparking, I stand on my tiptoes and press my lips to his. Rowan groans low, his eyes closing.
“Why won’t you touch me?” I ask, softly kissing him again.
“My willpower is waning.”
“Is that a problem or a party?”
He chuckles, his lips slowly moving against mine.
And then he reaches the end of his restraint. With a groan, he lifts me up and crushes his mouth to mine.
I end up on the tea shop counter, breaking health codes I’m sure, arms looped over Rowan’s shoulders. I trail my fingers through his short, thick hair. The bond purrs as our magic twines around us.
After several delicious minutes, Rowan pulls back, hands still on me, gray eyes on mine. “Kit.”
“Hmm?” I rub the back of his neck, enjoying the way his eyes shutter with pleasure.
He leans into my touch. “Do you think the Kit you were before we bonded would be able to forgive me for this situation?”
I laugh a little. “What?”
“The person you were, the woman who wasn’t under the influence of the bond. Do you think she’d be able to forgive me for this?”
“You realize I’m still the same person.”
His eyes search mine. Quietly, he says, “You know what I mean.”
“I do.” I kiss him softly. “But it doesn’t matter. Iamher. And for what it’s worth, I don’t feel like the bond is manipulating my feelings. It’s just manipulating my…”
“Your what?”
“Need for kisses,” I laugh.
