“I wasn’t sure what you’d say,” he admitted, rubbing his thumb along the back of her hand.
Her rosy lips parted, and her tongue slipped out, wetting them. He barely contained the groan rising in his throat. Did she know what those minuscule movements did to him? Howmany times he’d thought of those lips wrapped around his cock, how many times he’d jerked off thinking of her?
“Want to know a secret?” she breathed.
He leaned in closer, his smile widening impossibly further. “Always.”
“I’m just as surprised as you are.” Fae couldn’t lie, but it felt like there was something more in what she was saying.
A chuckle rumbled through him, and he grazed the back of his knuckles down her cheek. Gods, her skin was as smooth as silk. Was she like this all over?
Unbidden, his mind conjured an image of River in his bed once more. This time, her pink scrubs were nowhere in sight. She was naked, lying before him, her skin flushed from having been licked and tasted all over. He could see himself kneeling between her thighs, feasting on her as she screamed his name until she was hoarse.
Fuck, he wanted that.
Adjusting himself discreetly, he canted his head. “A good surprise, I hope.”
She hitched a breath, her captivating gaze never straying from his. He could look at her all day long and not grow tired of it.
“I… hope so, too,” she murmured. She was an angel cast in silver starlight, and he was captivated by her.
He cupped her chin, tracing her lips with his thumb. They were softer than her cheeks, calling his name. “I want to kiss you, River,” he admitted huskily. “I’ve wanted to since the day we first met.”
He’d dreamed of it innumerable times. Her taste. The sounds she’d make. The way she’d feel as he sank into her, making her his in every single way.
“You… you have?”
By all the gods, was that disbelief in her voice? What the fuck? Did this beautiful woman not see herself in the mirror when she got dressed? Did she not know that she was incredible in every single way?
Right then and there, he vowed to make sure she never doubted herself again. He would make sure she knew exactly how amazing she was, from now until the day he Faded.
Placing his finger under her chin, he tilted up her head. Her brown eyes widened.
“Listen to me, River Waterborn,” he said softly. “I will say this as many times as necessary.”
Her lips parted. “Nik?—”
“You are the most stunning person I have ever seen,” he murmured, interrupting her.
Her mouth fell open, likely in protest, but he wouldn’t allow that. Shaking his head, he moved closer. His breath skated over her lips, and she whimpered softly.
“You are magnificent, River. Beautiful inside and out.” He traced the corner of her mouth with his thumb, reveling at the feel of her. “Anyone who doesn’t want to kiss you is out of their mind.”
Of course, he’d neverletanyone else kiss her. But that was beside the point.
River was staring at him as if he’d just told her he was secretly a mermale from the Indigo Ocean. “You think I’m magnificent?”
“Princess, I think you are more beautiful than any piece of art, more stunning than any sunset, more gorgeous than even the most beautiful gods-blessed vampire.”
Surprise parted her lips, and that did him in. He couldn’t wait any longer.
He leaned over, sweeping his lips over hers. It wasn’t a kiss.It was barely even a peck. Little more than a meeting of their mouths, it was an introduction. A greeting. A taste of what was to come. The first of many embraces he hoped to share in the future.
“Oh,” she whispered. “Are we… Is this moving too fast?”
“Do you think so?” He nuzzled his nose against hers, and gods, even that sent sparks running through him. “Maybe to other people. But I’ve wanted you for years, River.”
It wasn’t like they’d just met. He’d wanted her for so long, he could barely remember what it was like to want anyone else.