Because if I do, I'm afraid I'll say something stupid.
Something embarrassing.
Something honest.
Kai shifts closer.
Enough that I feel his warmth seeping into my bones.
“Mary.”
The concern in his voice almost undoes me.
“What?”
“Talk to me.”
I swallow.
Hard.
“It's just...” I trail off.
His arms tighten around me.
Patient.
Waiting.
“What if this changes things?”
The words come out small.
Smaller than I intended.
But they're out there now.
Floating between us.
My heart pounds.
Because I don't know which answer scares me more.
Yes.
Or no.
“This absolutely changes things,” he says.
The affection in his voice makes everything worse.
Or better.
Maybe both.
“You’re mine now, Firecracker. Just try to get away.”
I laugh.
