Toxic Game (GhostWalkers #15) - Christine Feehan Page 0,116
shook her head, unable to keep from smiling, and turned back to finishing the pancakes. She’d warmed up the syrup Joe had sent, hoping that’s what one did with maple syrup. She’d never had it before, but she’d tasted it and it was good. Sweet, but good.
She put the eggs and bacon on the table in front of him and then carried the pancakes, butter and syrup over. She added the small little story about two fiery dragons willing to sacrifice everything to save those they loved. Strangely, her heart was pounding. What if he didn’t like that she’d copied his mother? What if he didn’t understand making his pancakes into a shield was meant as a gift for their wedding day? She didn’t have much to give him and this was the only way she could think of that might include his mother in their wedding.
Holding her breath, she put the plate of pancakes right in front of him and then put the warm syrup and butter next to his coffee. She could barely force herself to look at him, but she did. His eyes were on the stack of shields with the two dragons and the words carved into them. She’d made shallow indentations, and some were better than others. The metal strips had been used for the shield and dragons, although truthfully, her dragons didn’t come out as well as she would have liked. The words were hand done.
His face had gone pure stone. He didn’t say a word, just stared down at the pancakes for what seemed an eternity. Then swallowed hard. Blinked several times and finally, slowly, very slowly, lifted his gaze to hers. “Shylah.” He breathed her name. Barely above a whisper.
“You like it.” She made it a statement because he clearly did. She leaned down and brushed a kiss on his temple. “I wanted her here with us today, and I couldn’t think of any other way to give that to you.”
She turned to make her way around the small table to her chair, but Draden wrapped his arm around her waist holding her there beside him and turned, so he was facing out away from the table. He tugged until she was between his thighs and he could press his head against her stomach, both arms circling her waist. She wrapped her arms around his head, emotion choking her. The intensity of love she had for Draden was overwhelming.
Shylah held him, the man who was always so strong. So confident and sure. The man she’d fallen so hard for and didn’t even know when it happened or how. Tremors ran through him, so fine she barely felt them, but because it was Draden and she registered all things Draden, she felt them. She stroked caresses through his hair, feeling her own eyes burn. They were one step closer to being together permanently, and one step closer to death.
Finally, he lifted his head, his eyes staring into hers. There was liquid turning that dark blue into a fathomless sea. There was also stark, raw love looking back at her. Even though she had never experienced that kind of deep, intense emotion from a man, she recognized it and her heart turned over. The burn of tears in her eyes was nearly overwhelming. She had to blink rapidly.
“Thank you, sweetheart. I can’t imagine a better gift.” He reached up to capture the nape of her neck, applying pressure so she had to bend down. “Mine will be in the closet, so no peeking.”
His hands framed her face, his touch tender. His mouth took hers, and instantly the fire between them flared hot and bright. In contrast to the gentle way he cradled her face, his mouth was rough, demanding, a takeover. She couldn’t think when he was kissing her over and over. Devouring her. There was only feeling, the arcing electricity that jumped between them, the spread of heat that rushed through her bloodstream, the melting that made her feel boneless. His mouth was pure fire and there was nothing better.
When he broke the kisses, his gaze moved over her face and then he pressed his forehead against hers. “In case I haven’t said so, I’m so in love with you.”
“The feeling is mutual.” She was astonished she managed to get the words out when her body had spiraled completely out of control. She wanted him with every breath she drew.
He held her for another minute, as if he knew she clung to him