Pieces of his ice were cracking and giving way, and he sensed himself teetering on a dangerous ledge. He climbed back up her body, and her arms wrapped around him automatically, pulling him against her.
Blue eyes lifted, and a languid smile spread over her face as she lifted her hips. The privilege of sliding inside her felt like coming home, and that alone should have been a warning of an impending fall, an imminent crash. Her back arched as he moved, taking it as slow as he could tolerate, making it last as long as possible.
Only when she was gasping again, her eyes fluttering closed, did he allow himself the ecstasy of release. For several seconds, his entire consciousness was showered with sheer bliss, and when he came to, she was running her hands up and down his back, her lips pressing kisses to his temple and cheek.
He moved off her, but she turned into his side, nuzzling him like a cat.
“You’ve built a cage,” he said after a few moments, wondering whether she’d confess to any particular hidden feelings.
Anna smiled against his neck. “You noticed?”
“It’s not very strong.”
Her breath gusted over his skin with her chuckle. “I know. I’ll get the hang of it eventually. It’s harder than I thought it would be.”
“Probably because you have so many feelings.”
“Too many,” she agreed, then gasped and popped up. “I forgot to tell you! Your mother got another letter back.”
“Yeah?” He ran his fingers through her long hair, strands flowing like silk. “Anyinformation?”
She sunk back to his side, sighing. “Not really. He recommended we consult the sylphs. When I asked her why he’d recommend that, she got kind of cagey.”
He hummed, continuing to stroke her hair.
Her voice grew small. “Do you think I’ll ever figure out who I am?”
“You’re Anna. That’s all that matters.”
Her emotions fizzled with a burst of happiness. “But maybe I’m just a blip of mistaken genetics.”
“You are not a mistake,” he said, his eyes growing heavy. “You’re a masterpiece.”
She was silent a moment, and once again, that golden filament of love glinted bright in his vision, even though his eyes were closed. It felt like silk against his skin.
“A masterpiece?” She laughed. “Sure. A masterpiece with nowhere to belong.”
His hand gripped hers where it lay on his chest. “Maybe you’re exactly where you belong.”
The gold flared, blinding for a moment, before resettling. “Maybe I am,” she murmured.
He’d begun to drift into that dreamy plane just before sleep when she spoke again, her voice a mere whisper.
“Your mother asks about you.”
David stilled, and tension crept into every muscle.
“Sorry.” She scratched her fingernails gently through the hair on his chest. “I know that’s a sensitive subject.”
“Are you going to tell me I need to get over myself and accept her back into my life?”
She kissed his neck. “No. You’re a big boy. I think you can decide when you’re ready. But I just think you should know…she really does care for you.”
His fingers found her hair once more, tentative. “I’ll take that intoconsideration.”
“And while we’re on an awkward subject, can I ask about the pregnancy?”
That single word sliced through any remaining relaxation, and David was sure she sensed it. “That’s Sean’s problem,” he said, careful to keep his voice as flat as possible.
