He sucked in a stuttering breath. For a brief moment, the kiss was a soft and deliberate touch. Then it deepened with an urgency that left them both breathless. Metal and glassbumped into her nose. He parted only long enough to whip the spectacles from his face and set them atop the box.
He dove in once more to claim her mouth. His hands slid over her waist, pulling her closer as if to seal off the distance forever. Cupping his face, she poured every yearning she had held back into him—every moment she had fallen deeper in love. His mouth was warm and insistent. His careful control slipped as his fingers climbed up her back.
When they broke apart, he leaned his forehead against hers, his breath ragged. A smile, bright and true, broke on his lips, utterly transforming him.
“To be clear,” he said, pressing a chaste kiss to her temple. “I have imagined this moment with you for far longer than I’d care to admit.”
Nin laughed. “Really? With how disciplined you are?”
“Truly,” he said, tilting her chin. “You are my undoing.”
Nin’s cheeks flushed, warm like her lips swollen from their kiss. Her eyes darted away, landing on the blue box beside the haphazardly placed spectacles.
“You may open it now if you’d like,” Cedric said, reaching around her to place it in her hands.
The ribbon unfurled with a smooth pull. A slow smile bloomed on her face when she lifted the lid. Inside, nestled like soft gems, lay an array of colorful confections: blush pink, lavender, blue, yellow, and spring green.
Macarons.
Nin glanced up, her grin stretching to her cheeks. “For me?” she asked, pressing the box to her chest.
“All foryou,” he said.
Nin picked up a pink macaron from the box, turning it over in delight. Then, she extended the box in his direction. “Share one with me.”
“No, no,” he said gently. “These are for you.”
“I know, but I imagine they would taste even better if I shared them with someone I love.”
His eyes widened, their dark hues flickering with emotion, before his expression eased with a smile of his own.
Reaching into the box, he chose a dark blue one, tapping the smooth shell against hers like a toast. “To sharing life’s sweetness,” he murmured. “I love you.”
A spark of thrill shot through her veins, her chest inflating with more joy than she thought she could ever contain.
“I love you too,” she whispered.
Taking a small bite, her breath hitched at the burst of strawberry flavor on her tongue—light, airy, and delicate. The shell provided a pleasant crispness with a hint of chewiness, while the cream melted in her mouth, soft and buttery. She turned to Cedric, one hand hovering over her lips.
“This is…” she started.
“Good?” he supplied hopefully.
“Better than I could dream of,” she sighed happily, taking another bite.
He laughed, warm and unrestrained as he slipped one arm around her waist to pull her against his side. Nin leaned into him, relishing each macaron and humming contentedly as they shared the moment with the flickering firelight.
When Cedric pressed a kiss into her hair, she knew with absolute certainty that she had finally found a life without illusion or deceit—only a sweetness meant to be savored.
Epilogue
The scent of sugar and warm butter lingered in the kitchen. Pots, bowls, and measuring cups filled the sink, and almond flour sprinkled the air like falling snow.
Nin cut the fresh strawberries from the garden that she had gathered with Lucille and plopped a slice in her mouth.
“I saw that.”
Nin turned, her mouth full as she met Cedric’s mock-stern glare. Swallowing, she shrugged sheepishly, “We have plenty more in the garden,” she said.
