I go still, and my arms fall to my sides. Swallowing, I look up at him.
Butterflies riot in my stomach, and I know he’s very aware of the way he’s affecting me.
“You seem embarrassed by your magic,” he says, his eyes on my unruly hair, “but I don’t think you realize what you do to me. You wouldn’t be self-conscious if you knew.”
“Do to you?”
He lowers his eyes to mine. “Your summer sunshine is already nearly impossible to resist, and then you sparkle for me—justfor me. It’s going to be my undoing.”
I blink at him. My stomach tightens as he moves his hand to the back of my neck.
“I missed you today,” he says.
“I was only gone for a few hours.”
“Every time I saw the closed sign on your teashop, I felt despondent.”
“And how do you feel now?” I whisper.
“Happy.” He leans down, his mouth close to mine. “So happy.”
“Imagine how happy you’d be if you kissed me,” I say, breathless. As I wait for him to respond, I revel in the cool, crisp feel of his magic.
Ash backs up just enough our gazes meet, and hesmiles.His eyes crinkle as he studies me. Softly, he runs his thumb over the back of my neck.
Then he angles his head, leans in, and…
My eyes flutter shut when his lips meet mine. I reach for the back of a dining room chair, so wobbly, feeling like I’m going to scatter into a million effervescent pieces. Ash’s magic twines with mine, hot and cold, so perfect it makes my skin tingle.
His warm mouth lingers only a few seconds, and then he pulls back. Eyes closed, he winces.
“Are you all right?” I whisper, fear suddenly dousing my mood. “It wasn’t terrible, was it?”
And then he chuckles, warmly, like that’s the most ridiculous question. He opens his eyes and caresses my neck again. “Far from it.”
I swallow, nodding, hating that I feel so vulnerable. “You looked like you were in pain.”
“More like exquisite torture.” He brings his other hand to my shoulder. “I’ve never experienced anything like you.”
I search his face. “I’m not sure how to take that.”
“I think you’ve lied to me.” A smile plays at his perfect, sharply angled lips.
“What?” I breathe.
“You’re a siren, aren’t you?”
I laugh at the ridiculous question, my nerves ebbing somewhat.
He draws in a deep breath and then slowly exhales, nodding once to himself as he steps back, making sure I’m steady before his hands leave me. “We should go.”
“What about tea?” I ask, my voice wobbly.
“I don’t trust myself to linger here any longer.” His words stir up more sparkles, and he smiles as he watches them shimmer around me. “I have to lead the meeting tonight, and if you keep glowing, we’ll never make it into town.”
“You like it that much?” I ask, my magic making me feel strangely powerful—maybe for the first time in my life.
He makes a dark noise. “I like itverymuch.”
