Page 120 of Time To Learn

24

Laura

“I still thinkGaston got what he deserved,” Kristian grumbles.

I cover my smile with a hand, amused by their little discussion.

“Well, yeah, he was really bad,” Ailith pipes up, “but maybe…oh.”

I glance at my daughter sitting to my left. Kristian flanks her otherside.

“What?” I askher.

She sighs and rests her head on her smallfist.

“You’re right. Nothing could be done to save his blacksoul.”

Kristian snorting makes laughter bubble in my throat. That, and the way my eight-year-old daughter suddenly sounds like a sixty-year-old philosopher.

“Okay, next movie.” Kristian stands up from the bed and stretches. His groan and the way his muscles flex underneath his T-shirt send tingles throughout my body, but I do my best to trample out the embers flaring up insideme.

“Are you sure you want to stay here?” I ask him as uncertainty fillsme.

He frowns lightly atme.

“Why wouldn’t I?” He winks at Ailith. “It’s been ages since I’ve had a Disney marathon, so, heck, yes, I want tostay.”

Ailith giggles beside me before she wriggles out from underneath my arm. “Yay! But first, I have topee!”

I chuckle as I watch her run out to the hall. Once I’ve heard the door to the bathroom shut, I get up from my seat, walk resolutely to Kristian, and cradle his face in my hands before I reach up on my toes to kiss his lips. His arms come around my waist, pulling me even closer until I’m flush against him. When I feel his palms squeezing my arse, I sigh softly as I angle my head, deepening ourkiss.

He tastes of popcorn and salt…utterly delicious.

His arms tightening around my waist and the moan that mirrors mine makes my toescurl.

“Thank you,” I whisper once I come up forair.

“Forwhat?”

He smiles down at me, and I can’t help but giggle at the way he pushes his hardness into my tummy.

“For giving Ailith what she needs.”

The smile disappears from his eyes, but the warmth deepens. The tenderness he’s shown me—and Ailith—all day, makes my heart swell withjoy.

“Anytime, sweetheart.”

Worried that Ailith will walk in on us, I smile and move to step back, but when he won’t allow me to leave, I rest my hands on his arms and glance up at him, puzzled.

“Still terrified?” he asks me as he holds me closer.

I wet my lips as I take a moment to reflect on his question. Strangely enough, I don’t feel as scared as I did yesterday. There’s a lightness in my heart that I haven’t felt in years. And there’s hope. Hope that maybe I’ve finally started to heal again.

“No, but I’m nervous,” I admit shyly. “You make me feel like a young woman again—my body hums when you’re near, and my tummy flutters with butterflies whenever you kiss me. And that smile…” I sigh softly. “That smile of yours undoes me every single time. It feels like it chases away all my fears in a matter of seconds. It’s that powerful.”

“Good. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about you being afraid anymore,” he starts, bending until our foreheads touch, “and I’m fucking elated that I make you feel likethat.”

My cheeks hurt so bad from smiling, but I can’t helpit.