River’s breath caught in her throat, and her heartbeat rang in her ears. Nikhail kept doing this—saying such incredible things effortlessly, as if they required no thought at all.
She breathed his name, placing her palms flat on his chest, and he moved closer. “Yes, little storm?”
“This is our first date,” she reminded him.
“I know.”
“And you keep saying these tremendous things.”
They were wonderful, honestly. Frustratingly, terribly wonderful.
His thumb teased the edge of her mouth, and his brows furrowed. “Then why do you look upset?”
“Because…”
Her voice trailed off as she struggled to find the words to describe how she was feeling.
How could she explain that if Nikhail kept saying things like this, if he kept telling her how much he wanted her, that shemight start to believe him? What would happen if one day, he decided that she was too broken for him?
She wouldn’t survive that.
River couldn’t find the words, but it seemed that she didn’t need to. Nikhail must’ve read something on her face because he bent his head and cupped her cheek, resting his forehead on hers.
“Your thoughts are very loud, little storm,” he murmured.
“Are they?”
“Mm-hmm.” His gaze darkened, holding hers for a long moment. “Do you want to know a secret?”
“Always,” she said.
Who didn’t like being privy to confidential information? River had always enjoyed collecting secrets—when they belonged to other people.
Her own secrets were not nearly as delightful.
“This might be our first official date, but if I have anything to do with it, it will not be our last.”
River sucked in a breath, but before she could say anything, Nikhail continued.
“I want you, little storm. You make me feel complete in a way that no one else ever has. It’s as if I were missing a part of myself before I met you. I realize this is a lot, but this isn’t a normal first date. Not for me, anyway. And it’s okay if you don’t feel the same way, but I need you to know that I’m all in on us. Not just for today, but for as long as you’ll have me. Forever, I hope.”
Nikhail’s words should’ve frightened her. They should’ve put her off, because who in their right mind made this kind of declaration on a first date?
Even so, sparks kindled in her soul.
Yes, Nikhail had told her that he wanted her before, but words weren’t always the most reliable. River had troubletrusting what people said—even fae. There were ways around the truth. People could say one thing and do another.
But time and again, Nikhail’s actions had backed up his words. Hewantedher. The knowledge settled deep in her bones, one that couldn’t easily be swayed.
There were many things River could’ve said in that moment, many things running through her mind, but before she could voice more than a breathy, “oh,” a shrill ring cut through the air.
The moment shattered.
Nikhail’s eyes widened, and he stepped back. Every inch between them felt like an ocean, and as he pulled out his phone, he glanced at the screen and grimaced. “I’m sorry, River. My phone is only set to ring in case of emergency, so it’s?—”
“Important,” she finished for him. “Go ahead, answer it. I understand.”
River was well-versed in this life, thanks to Ryker. People in the military were never truly “off.” They could step away from work, but they could always be called back at a moment’s notice.