Page 13 of The Nixie and the Frost Elf

I'm surprised when Lexi is the one who makes the move, reaching out and cupping my face in her hand. Surprise flashes over her face the moment she does.

"What is it?"

"You're cold."

I laugh. "I'm a frost elf, what did you expect?"

"I don't really know," she admits, smoothing her thumb over my cheek. "Were you always this cold?"

I shake my head. "I lost a few degrees in the past couple of years. I'm not really sure how it works, something to do with the end of puberty, no doubt."

"Is that where the new crystals came from?" she asks, her fingers brushing against them and making me very aware of her touch.

"Yes." I clear my throat to try to ease the tightness I feel through my entire body. "There are new patterns on my skin too." I pull the collar of my shirt down so that she can see the hint of them. They don't stretch to my face, but I know the patterns line everywhere else.

"They look good," she says. "The crystals do too. They suit you." She traces her fingers over them again, her touch a little firmer than before, as if she's growing more confident in how she wants to respond, both to me and the situation we're in.

"I'm glad you think so." Something in the air is making me feel bold, and I want to lean in and kiss her, but I stop myself before I do. The last thing I want is to ruin this because I can't keep myself under control and do something she doesn't like.

"Edur? Are you okay?" She looks up at me, her deep green eyes shimmering like the depths of a lake.

"I was thinking about kissing you." The words slip out without me meaning them to, but I think that might be a good thing, especially as I don't want to hide anything from her.

"I'd like that," she responds.

My heart constricts as her words register and I realise that she means it. And that she wants me to kiss her.

I brush a strand of hair out of her eyes, taking in every inch of her face before I proceed. The gills on her neck move with her breathing, even though I know she'll be using her nose when she's above the water, but watching them creates a sense of anticipation that I don't expect.

"Well?" she prompts.

"Well?" I respond.

"Are you going to kiss me? Or do I have to be the one to make the first move?"

"Would you?"

She rolls her eyes and steps closer, wrapping her arms around my neck. The familiar scent of mint engulfs me. I'm not sure if it's something she uses on her hair, or if she just smells like water mint, but the smell has always reminded me of Lexi.

The moment her lips touch mine, all thoughts vanish, and I wrap my arms around her waist so that I can pull her closer to me, enjoying every moment of having her pressed against me, maybe a little too much.

She threads her fingers through my hair, tugging me closer, but not deepening the kiss. I let her lead. As much as I want to take this further, I know acting on that thought won't do either of us any good in the long run. I don't want to lose her because I've pushed too far when I shouldn't have, and that means letting her be the one to take control.

She breaks away from me, and I have to admit to being a little disappointed, even if I know this isn't going to be the last time we kiss.

"That was good," she says without me even asking.

"I'm glad you thought so," I murmur.

"I do." She leans closer again, and before I know it, she's kissing me again. All of my senses are consumed with Lexi, with the way it feels to have her arms around my neck, and her body pressed against me.

In fact, there's a little more of a response than I would like, given what she's told me.

I pull back and clear my throat. "I need a minute."

She frowns, but then understanding seems to dawn. "Really?"

"You're a good kisser," I mumble. "Sorry."