Page 24 of The Nixie and the Frost Elf

"Are we supposed to learn how it works?" I ask.

He shrugs. "That depends on whether we want to, or if we just want to have fun and go stick our hands in the slime." He looks over to a table where it's loaded on the table.

I laugh. "We can do whatever we want. It's nice to come somewhere like this and not have to take everything too seriously."

"We need more of it in our lives."

"More of what?" I ask.

"Joy. Bad pizza, bowling, ice cream at two in the morning, and interactive science exhibits," he says. "And the beautiful smiles of nixies."

"That last one doesn't seem like the kind of thing a lot of people need."

"Maybe not. But I certainly need it." He steps closer to me, his reflection moving along with him. But I'm barely paying any attention to the mirror any more. I can see enough of my reflection in his dazzling blue eyes.

He reaches up and cups my cheek in his hand, the instant change of temperature making my heart skip a beat. I know that I should dislike it, but I don't. It reminds me that we're touching, and that I'm aware of him in a way that I haven't been aware of anyone before.

My eyes flutter closed as he leans in, pressing his lips against mine in a brief kiss before pulling back to look at my face.

I meet his gaze and give him a small nod, not caring that we're in the middle of a museum, or about anything other than how close he is.

This time, when he kisses me, it's deeper, speaking of all of the things that have been hanging between us since the first day we felt the response of our mate bond. If I'd been a little braver, I could have experienced this the whole time.

I ignore my thoughts and wrap my arms around his neck. Feeling bold, I sweep my tongue over his bottom lip, something I can safely say I've never done to anyone before.

He stiffens under my touch and panic rushes through me.

I pull back, desperate to know that I haven't overstepped, especially after our conversation the other day. "Are you okay?"

He clears his throat. "You just took me by surprise." His voice is scratchy.

"I won't do it again." My cheeks heat, and I look away so that he doesn't notice, forgetting that we're right next to a mirror that shows so many tiny Lexis all at once. No doubt it reflected our kiss that much too.

"No, Lexi, that's not what I mean." He lets out a shaky breath. "I just didn't realise that you were going to do it. But it was nice."

"Oh."

"But maybe that kind of exploration is best for when we're alone."

I let out a small laugh. "I didn't really think about where we were."

"Maybe we should save that kind of kissing until we have our date for that kind of kissing," he responds. "But it's okay, I promise. It was nice, and I'm more than happy for you to try it again then."

"All right, I'll save it for then."

He leans in and brushes a gentle kiss against my lips, assuring me that he's not angry at me for my choice. But I should be more careful, because his boundaries are just as important as my own.

Chapter 12

Lexi

I've never once gone to someone with the intention of having sex, but the idea of it is surprisingly enticing. I think it's because I'm doing this for the right reasons. I want to feel close to Edur, I want our relationship to be possible, and I want to feel good. Those are all solid reasons for me to have sex with him, even if I'm not fully sure what that's going to entail or how it's going to make me feel.

I knock on the door to Edur's flat, not at all surprised when he pulls the door open almost immediately.

"Hey," he says, running a hand through his dark blue hair. The action draws attention to his handsome face and the easy smile he always has for me. My heart flutters in response.

"Hi," I respond, the nerves jumping around inside me. They're not enough to make me run away, but they're difficult to ignore.