Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34527 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34527 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
“Coming on too strong?” I tilt my head, regarding him. “In what way? You’ve been a perfect gentleman so far.”
He makes a face, then rubs the base of one of his horns, and I realize he’s embarrassed. “Well, I did have quite the plan for today.”
“Oh?”
Sinath nods, his expression as solemn as he can make it…which means it’s not very solemn at all. He’s doing his best not to smile but his lips are curving anyhow. “Yes. I would bring in the tree, and you would be uncertain about my intentions. You would blush and prance—”
I sputter. “Prance—?”
“—as humans do,” he continues, his grin growing wider. “So then I would ask you to get me a towel—”
“To clean up all the bullshit you’re spewing?”
“—or something from the other room.” He continues on, blithely ignoring my faux outrage. “When you returned, I would be underneath the tree.”
My brows go up.
“Naked, of course. And if you asked what I was doing, I would tell you that I had put Sin under your tree.” He grins at me, delighted. “Clever, eh?”
“If by ‘clever,’ you mean that is the corniest line I’ve ever heard, then yes. Well done.” With a shake of my head, I break into laughter. “Amazing. Just amazing.”
“I thought it was quite good myself.” Sinath smiles down at me, and then his gaze grows intense. “I’m glad I’m here.”
“Me too. I’m also glad you didn’t break in and put yourself under my tree. Naked.”
“The idea isn’t to scar you. It’s to make you feel arousal.”
“Then I’m really glad you told me about your plan before you enacted it.” I shake my head. “You don’t need a bow or a tree or anything. I just need you to talk to me and tell me how you feel about me. I need you to want me.”
“Devin,” he says in a ragged voice. “I want you so much that I’m shaking.”
Chapter
Sixteen
DEVIN
At my surprised expression, he holds a hand out, palm up, and sure enough, he’s trembling slightly. “Why on earth are you that worried?”
“Because if I don’t get this right, I’m going to regret it for the rest of my life.” There’s no laughter in his eyes now, just that intense yearning that makes my breath catch. “Because the sound of your laughter is the best thing I’ve ever heard, and your smile the best thing I’ve ever seen. Because you’re the most incredible female I’ve ever met, and I want nothing more than to spend every day making you realize it.”
“Is that all?” I tease, but now I’m the one that’s trembling. To think that I can inspire so much devotion…it’s humbling and more than a little intimidating. “If it makes you feel any better, I can’t stop thinking about you, either.”
He looks surprised. “What about me?”
“Your kindness,” I say, taking in mine the hand he’s holding out. I place it on my cheek, letting his thumb graze near my mouth. “Your thoughtfulness and attentiveness when it comes to someone in need. Your ability to make terrible, corny jokes to try and distract from an awkward situation. How you always have an answer for things and you always give more than I ever expect.”
There’s a chittering sound that interrupts my train of thoughts, and I look over to see Jerry clutching the bundle of herbs—the mistletoe—in his tiny hands. He sniffs it and then nibbles on a leaf, and I bite back a chuckle.
I turn to Sinath to make a joke, but his expression is all intensity, and he’s staring at my mouth. He leans in and I tilt my face towards his. When his lips touch mine, everything feels as if it comes into place. As if this is where I’m meant to be. With a whimper, I curl my hands against his neck and pull him in for kiss after intoxicating kiss.
“Can’t stop thinking about you,” he confesses between flicks of his tongue against mine.
“I’m right here.” Funny how I can want to smile and kiss him at the same time. I’ve never felt this light sort of joy in a relationship in the past. But being with Sinath just makes everything a little brighter, a little happier. I smile so much when I’m with him that my face hurts, and I love it.
Sinath grins down at me, pressing another quick kiss to my mouth. “And you’re absolutely fulfilling every fantasy I’ve ever had.”
I arch a brow. “Really? Mine are a lot dirtier than just kissing.”
His lips part and he stares down at me. Then, he buries his face against my neck and groans low and loud. “Now I want to hear about those fantasies so I can change mine.”
Chuckling, I scratch my nails against the back of his head, where his short hair is buzzed against his scalp. One of his horns is pressing into my cheek, but I don’t mind it. It’s a little different, but that doesn’t make it bad. I like how solid he feels against me, how strong. I stroke my hand down his neck and to the deep blue plating that dances along the skin of his shoulders. He makes a sound of pleasure, as if he’d love for me to touch him everywhere. “My fantasies?”