A small smile. Almost shy.
Aiden Tartarus. Almost shy.
My heart clenched.
I opened my mouth to say something. Anything. Maybe thank you. Maybe you cook? Maybe please put on a shirt before I embarrass myself in front of the three of you.
I never got the chance.
Keres crossed the kitchen in two long strides.
“Keres—”
His hands cupped my cheeks, careful and warm despite the oil still staining his fingers, and then his mouth was on mine.
Strong.
Deep.
Hungry.
Not soft like the first kiss in the winter garden. Not tentative. Not asking whether I wanted him.
He already knew.
That was the problem with the bond now. With them. With me. Secrets were starting to become very inconvenient.
My knees weakened anyway.
Not dramatically.
Fine, maybe dramatically.
But I refused to be added
