Chapter 11

Instinctively my entire body stiffens. I pull back, breaking the kiss, but only a finger"s width of distance. My body feels alive. Tingling sensations race from my lips and out through all my limbs. His lips were soft, delicious, and insistent. They stole my breath, leaving me gasping. Leaving me wanting more.

"Kai," he whispers and I don't need his words to hear the apology that is coming.

I cut him off, pressing my lips back to his.

It's electric. Overwhelming. Incredible. Our lips move together as we tilt our heads to better meet. His mouth tastes exotic and incredible. He is demanding, yet gentle. Needful, yet thoughtful. I have never been kissed like this. It is as if kissing is an entirely new experience. One I've never had before.

I raise my hand and it trembles but I don't let that stop me. I touch his cheek. The scales are smooth and cool to the touch, absorbing my warmth as if his skin itself is drinking me in. I press my hand closer and he moans into our ongoing kiss.

My lungs are burning. I cannot get enough air through my nose, but I don't want this to stop. I want his touch. For the first time since we crashed, I want, no I need. I need him this close. Closer even. I need contact with another being on a level so deep and so primal that it's like an inferno burning in my soul.

I push it as far as I possibly can but at last, I must breathe. I pull back just a little and we rest our foreheads together. I like the rough feel of his horns pressing down onto my hairline. This close I feel the spirals that rise from his head to the points.

"Provyd," I say, and suddenly tears are pressing hard against the backs of my eyes.

My throat clenches as I blink fast trying to hold back the waterworks. There is no reason for it, but there they are, ready to let go. He seems to understand. How I have no idea, but he wraps one arm around my shoulders and pulls until I turn into him and I'm resting against his chest inside his protective arms. As if I've found a new country, a place of safety that I know I can retreat to and the world outside will never again hurt me.

Still, I try to hold it back. The emotions that surge though will not be denied. All the pain and more the lonely hopelessness of the past year converge into a perfect storm. I stand strong as long as I can but there is no withstanding this. It crashes against me over and over and then I break. The tears flow free.