“Should I think that you’ve made me into your ideal shape?”
“I told you at the start, if it were up to me, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.” His hand lifts, fingers skimming over my sleeve, fabric pooling under them. His touch lingers longer than necessary.
The space between us narrows, barely perceptible at first, but all of a sudden his sharp features are merely a breath away from mine.
“May I confess something?” The question is a low rumble.
“When have you ever hesitated?” My heartbeat quickens.
“Even though you were perfect as you were, I must admit I find it thrilling to have an opportunity to discover you yet again.” He leans in, and I can feel his breath against my lips.
He waits, and when I don’t move away, his mouth finally meets mine. It’s just a whisper of contact, but it sends a rush through my veins. He kisses me like a man who was about to die of starvation and is now taking small, simple bites of food because anything more would be too rich for his body. My eyes flutter closed as my body melts into him on instinct.
He grabs the back of my neck, fingers threading through the silken strands of my hair. Then something changes. The kiss transforms with a shift of his mouth. There’s hunger in it, a desperate, consuming need that makes my knees buckle. His other hand envelops my waist, pulling me flush against him as he backs me toward the mirror.
Eyes fluttering open, he studies me, both of us gasping for air, wet lips barely touching.
“Clara,” he murmurs, as if reminding himself—reminding me that this is who I am now.
I nod, lids heavy, as cool glass meets my back. His body is a wall of heat, and I can feel every hard line of him as he presses against me.
“I’ve missed you.” His kisses are molten along my new jaw. “Missed tasting every inch of your skin. Missed having you here, mine…all mine.”
His hands map unfamiliar territory, fingertips tracing my new curves like one would the inked lines of a card. When his lips find the hollow of my throat, I arch against him, a soft moan escaping before I can stop it.
“That’s it,” he murmurs against my flesh with a low growl. “Let me hear you.”
His hands slide lower, and the room spins. One finds its way to my hip, moving between my thighs. I can’t believe we’re doing this here, now, after I’ve only just finished my remaking. The thought has reality crashing back in around me, jarring me from the haze of desire.
“Stop.” I press my hand firmly against the solid wall of his chest.
He freezes instantly, pulling back. “Does something hurt?”
“No, it’s not that.” I shake my head, catching my breath. “I need to see my sister, make sure she’s all right.”
His brow furrows. There’s raw desire at war with understanding. But also a touch of worry. “Do you resent me for what I’ve done to you?”
“Kaelis, no.” I leave no room for misunderstanding in my tone or expression. “You might have suggested this, but I decided to do it on my own. This choice, ultimately, was mine.”
The worry has yet to abate. “Do you hate yourself for what you’ve become?”
“I think I will learn to love this new form of mine.” Already my worry and grief are fading into the thrill of possibility. “At least until we can use the World to return me to my former self.”
“You’re sure?”
I see his hesitation for what it is: worry and insecurity. It’s so odd to see either on him that I’m surprised I didn’t notice at first. They hang off him like a too-large coat. I offer an encouraging smile and say, “I am sure, Kaelis. Leaving is purely because I want to see my sister. The process took longer than expected.”
“All right.” Kaelis gently rests his palms on my hips, thumbs stroking gentle circles. “You’re sure leaving can’t waitjust a littlelonger?”
I laugh softly. “You know it can’t.” I can already see it in the slight, almost sheepish smile he’s giving me.
“Yes, your sister comes first.” There’s an understanding in his tonethat has my shoulders relaxing. I sense perhaps a thin edge of frustration in him, but no resentment or bitterness.
“I’ll come back to you soon.” I rest my palm on his cheek, and he covers it with his hand, turning it to kiss my fingertips.
“Do what you must.” Kaelis steps back slowly.
“Thank you.” I lock eyes with him when I say it. I want him to know how much his understanding means.
