Chapter Thirty-Four
Andrew walked Isla to her apartment door. Their outing had been a pleasant surprise as well as filled with hope. She had opened up to him even more. Isla turned. She still hadn’t allowed anyone to stay with her overnight, insisting Juliette was only a knock away. She looked shy as she met his eyes.
He wasn’t sure how to say goodbye—he wasn’t ready to say goodbye. His memories of past lives where they didn’t have to separate lingered. Yet here he was feeling like a schoolboy wanting his first kiss.
“Isla, I ...” His hand lifted, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, the strands soft against his fingers. He cupped her jaw, his thumb grazing the apple of her cheek.
Her amber eyes met his, familiar and yet entirely new, flecked with gold that seemed to shimmer in the dim hallway light. Before he could say more, a small green movement caught his eye. He looked up.
“Is that ... is that mistletoe?”
Isla’s face went beetroot red, her still-glowing hands flying to her cheeks in pure embarrassment.
“No, I mean ... yes,” she stammered. “It was an accident. Just—maybe you should leave now, and I’ll let the plant wrap itself around me so I don’t die of mortification.”
Andrew felt his grin spread wide, his own cheeks warming with delight.
“I’m going to presume your accidental summoning of mistletoe means you were hoping for a kiss?”
“Andrew!” She laughed, swatting his arm before hiding her face again. “Leave now, or I’ll set the plant on you instead.”
“Isla.” He gently took her hands, moving them to her sides.
Slowly, he lifted his palms to her cheeks, allowing his magic to glow softly, allowing a gentle coolness to soothe her heated skin.
He studied her eyes—full of embarrassment, but also that same vulnerable light he had glimpsed at the orphanage.
“I am over the moon to know you’d welcome a kiss, because I’ve been desperate to kiss you good night for far too long. ”
“You have?”
“Yes, truly.”
She licked her lips, looking nervous, and his eyes lingered there.
“May I ... go ahead and kiss you, now that I know it would be welcome?”
She gave a small smile and a gentle nod.
Leaning in, he paused, her breaths mingling with his.
This moment meant so much to him—he always feared that not only would he not be there for her when they separated, but he was also aware that every lifetime he would have to work to convince her that they were good together.
When they parted in each life, she begged him every time to find her, to convince her.
Full of gratitude that she was giving him this chance now, he closed the distance, and her soft lips pressed against his.
He kissed her gently, not wanting to rush her.
He remembered past moments of intimacy, but this was all new to her.
Her arms curved lightly around his neck, and his hands found her waist, pulling her closer.
Her lips moved with a quiet curiosity, exploring, learning.
His hand traced her back before he cradled the back of her head, holding this fragile, perfect moment.
A small sigh escaped her lips, and his heart raced. He pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against hers.
“Thank you, Isla,” he whispered. “Thank you for being you, and for letting me in. I promise, I’m here for you.”
She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, wrapped her arms tighter around him for a brief hug, and stepped back, cheeks still flushed from her embarrassment but now smiling.
“Good night, Andrew.”