Chapter 32
THIRTY-TWO
S abine’s heart melted as he drew her against him, swaying to the music. Unlike their earlier tentative touches, this embrace felt sure. Claiming. His hand splayed possessively across her back while the other tangled with hers over his heart.
“I like this side of you,” she whispered, tracing the strong line of his jaw. “The one that drinks magical cocoa and dances badly and looks at me like...”
“Like what?” His eyes darkened as her fingers drifted to his neck.
“Like you want to kiss me right here in front of everyone.”
“I do.” He lowered his head until their breaths mingled. “I want everyone to know you’re mine.”
The possessive growl in his voice made her tiger purr. “Then kiss me.”
He did, right there under the floating lanterns with magic swirling around them. It wasn’t their first kiss, but it felt different—deeper, more certain. His lips claimed hers with careful heat that promised to burn much hotter in private. When they finally parted, she saw several elderly couples beaming at them while Romi bounced excitedly beside an amused Lux.
“Ignore them,” Ren murmured against her temple, still holding her close. “Tonight is just for us.”
They swayed together as twilight deepened into evening. The market’s enchanted lights cast them in silver and gold while the fountain provided a backdrop of shifting colors. Warmth bloomed in Sabine’s chest as she glanced around at the smiling faces—elderly couples beaming, Romi practically vibrating with excitement as she clutched Lux’s arm.
Then she saw him.
Linus stood at the edge of the market’s glow, half-hidden in shadow. His eyes locked onto hers with such cold intensity that her blood froze. There was something ancient in that stare, something that promised pain. Her tiger clawed at her insides, recognizing a predator.
Ren’s arms tightened instantly, responding to her tension. “What’s wrong?”
“I thought I saw...” But when she looked again, Linus was gone. Had she imagined it? The memory of that dead-eyed stare made her shiver. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”
Ren pulled back enough to study her face, concern etched in his features. His eyes scanned the crowd, protective instincts clearly on high alert.
“Hey.” She touched his cheek, drawing his attention back to her. “You’ve given me such a special evening. I don’t want anything to spoil it.”
The worry in his expression softened. He lowered his head to capture her lips again, this kiss slower and deeper than the last. By the time they parted, she’d almost forgotten her unease.
“More cocoa?” he murmured against her mouth.
“Mmm. Definitely more cocoa.”
They spent another hour wandering the market hand in hand, sampling treats and watching Terra and Aero’s spectacular ice-wind sculpture performance. But eventually the crowds began to thin as the evening wound down.
The walk home seemed to pass too quickly. Sabine’s heart beat faster as they approached her cottage, bright with welcome lights. She didn’t want this night to end. More than that—she didn’t want to be alone, didn’t want to let go of this feeling of safety and rightness she had in Ren’s arms.
Standing on her porch, she made up her mind. Whatever darkness lurked in the shadows, whatever threats waited in their future, she wouldn’t let fear steal this from them. She wouldn’t let anyone sabotage what was growing between them.
Rising on her toes, she pulled Ren down for a kiss that held nothing back. His response was immediate and heated, his hands spanning her waist to draw her closer.
“Stay,” she whispered when they finally broke apart.
His eyes searched hers, molten gold in the porch light. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She took his hand, squeezing gently. “Stay with me tonight.”
The smile that curved his lips was tender and fierce at once. He followed her inside, the door closing softly behind them. Her arms immediately went around his neck and they kissed again. Deep. Hard. Perfect.
Ren pushed her lips apart, delving in deep, and suddenly, she felt like she needed him just as much as he seemed to need her. She was glad she’d insisted he stay with her because there was no way she could survive the night without him.
Their kiss turned into a hungry, desperate mess, and when Ren reached down to pick her up, Sabine jumped into his arms, locking her legs around his hips. He walked into her bedroom, slamming the door shut behind them and taking her to the bed.
“Sabine,” he murmured against her mouth as he laid her back onto the blanket. “I want you so much that the thought of ever leaving you scares me to the bone. If anything happened to you I don’t think I could survive it.”
He punctuated every word with a kiss, pressing each across her jaw and down her neck. She held onto him, swept up in her emotion so much that her words poured out of her without a second thought.