Ruler (Wolves of Royal Paynes #2) - Kiki Burrelli Page 0,26

turning away with an expression that said he couldn't believe his daring. "You make me feel a lot. And I don't understand all of it, and some of it scares me, but I like all of it. I don't think that makes sense."

I didn't know how I hadn't floated away already. Fuck, hearing him say that felt fucking amazing. My body swelled with power. He liked how I made him feel. That was good because I didn't know how I was ever supposed to live without him. "You make sense, and to be honest, I'm glad to hear it. I'll never rush you. Everything is at your pace, Storri. I promise. And we need to get you help, someone you can talk to. Enroll you in school if you want. You can have anything. With or without me by your side. I promise."

I didn't want him choosing anything that took him away from me, but I wouldn't ever stop him. He hadn't replied yet, though, so I worried he'd taken something I said to mean something else. "Storri, I—"

His lips brushed against the side of my mouth. I thought at first it had been an accident, that he'd tried to get up while I leaned in and our faces had touched. When his lips moved and his hand slid into my open palm, I knew this kiss was on purpose.

I also knew I couldn't kiss him back with the ferocity that burned inside me. I squeezed his hand softly, bringing my other hand to the back of his head where I cupped him, but didn't urge his face in either direction.

His lips trembled, and he moaned softly before slowly pulling away. He touched his mouth with his free hand, and I noticed Dog had made himself scarce, heading into the forest while we kissed. "I can't believe I did that." His awed gaze found mine. "That was my first kiss."

Fucking hell, I liked the sound of that too.

No, I fucking loved the sound of that. "Thank you for giving it to me."

His shoulder lifted in a quick, embarrassed shrug. "I guess since I'm yours already," he teased, peering at me from the corner of his eye.

"You weren't supposed to hear that yet, but I'm glad you aren't angry. I want to be yours too. All of me."

"All of you," Storri parroted. "In this form, you are…overwhelming, but less so as time goes on."

"I'd kiss you in my wolf form, but that might get hair in your teeth."

Storri's laugh was like fine champagne poured over a pile of diamonds. "No, gross. You don't have real lips that way either."

I took a chance and snagged his hand, keeping my fingers loose in case he spooked and wanted to pull away.

He didn't. Instead, he sighed happily and set the side of his head against my shoulder. The ocean stretched endlessly in front of us, while directly below the waves rolled over each other, crashing against the sandy shore.

"I'd imagined my first kiss so many times. I'm glad I had to wait now. I'm glad my first kiss was with you."

I knew he wasn't saying he was glad to have been thrown in a tower, only that those events had led him to this moment. I understood because I felt the same. "Me too."

Chapter Five

Storri

Faust held my hand the whole way back to the hotel. My lips tingled, and I looked over at him whenever I thought he wasn't looking.

He was always looking, but he smiled too, so I didn't mind.

I'd kissed him. This man who had muscles for his muscles, who towered over me and could pick me up and throw me over the cliff without breaking a sweat. It made me feel daring. I'd kissed him. Me.

After waking up without Faust near, I'd crept down the hallway with Dog, too afraid to move faster than a glacial crawl. There'd been angry voices, and I'd gravitated toward them. Faust hadn't meant for me to hear what I had.

I felt a little silly for running now. Not because of anything Faust said, but because I couldn't imagine what it was that I'd been so frightened of.

And now, there were delicious smells and laughter coming from the direction of the kitchen.

Faust brought me to the room just outside the kitchen where Diesel and Hallie sat, her arms full with a baby.

The baby lifted his face to the new sound in the room, and our eyes locked. I smiled as a warm glow settled inside me.