but her shoulders still shook. It had been too long, too hard a day for her, and Christian could see that she had reached her breaking point. Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms, smoothing her hair, tangling his fingers in the red and black curls he loved so much. âSheâs not herself, Ada. She hasnât been quite right since you brought her home. She doesnât mean it.â
Ada pulled away from him just enough that she could stare up into his face. âDo you think she really believes Iâm acting out of jealousy?â
He shook his head. ââNo. She could never. Not if she was in her right mind. And donât hold her responsible. We canât be blamed for madness.ââ
She nodded silently, her dark hair brushing his cheek. She was so close. So close. If he just dipped his head⦠his gaze went to her lips. Heâd been dreaming of what those lips would feel like against his own for so long. With massive effort, he raised his head. He couldnât. It would compromise her; it would compromise everything.
âChristian,â she whispered.
He looked down again, opening his mouth to answer her, when she rose up on her toes, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his head down to meet hers. He felt his eyes widen in shock before he realized what, exactly, was happening.
And then he was lost.
He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, pulling her tighter to him as the flames seemed to explode in his blood. Her mouth was so soft. He knotted her hair in his hands, feeling the silk coil around his fingers. He fought to pull her closer; he couldnât seem to get her close enough to satisfy him.
He pulled away, gasping for breath, and she watched him with wounded eyes. âDonât you want to kiss me?â she asked quietly.
He blew out a breath, shaking his head. âMore than anything in the world, Ada. You have no idea how long I have wanted to kiss you.â
âBut you stopped.â
âAda, this could ruin you. If we are caughtââ
âI donât care, Christian! They tell me to stay away from you. They tell me you arenât good enough, but my heart knows what is right for me. They do not. And my heart wants you.â
He stared at her, dumbfounded. Could it be possible? Could she really want him, despite everything society and their sorcerer lineage said?
Without another word, he kissed her again, claiming her mouth with his own.
****
He didnât sleep. He lay awake until the sun came up, staring at the ceiling without actually seeing it. In fact, he didnât see anything but her face, her lips, her eyes begging him to kiss her again and again until her fatherâs guards had called. Sheâd smiled shyly, kissed him quickly one last time, and raced for the house.
It was like every dream heâd ever had came true in those long, stolen minutes with her, and every second until he could be with her again was an eternity.
As soon as the sun came up, he bounded out of bed and raced for the stables, rushing through his chores. He mucked stalls, curried the horses, fed and watered everything in sight. Even so, the sun was low in the western sky by the time he finished and rushed for their hideaway.
She was there waiting. âI thought youâd never get here!â she said, meeting him at the edge of the pond. He immediately wrapped her in his arms, lowering his head to meet her lips. The flames roared, and sparks leaped from her fingers, burning the back of his neck. It was a delicious pain, and he welcomed it.
His mouth left hers, trailing kisses across her jaw to her temple and down her neck. âChristian,â she yelped, and he heard the alarm in her voice.
âIâm sorry, love,â he murmured, his lips against her temple.
âDonât be sorry. Iâm justâ¦â
He held her at armâs length, squinting, trying to see her clearly in the twilight. It hadnât
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