Samuel stared at them with sad eyes.
She touched his hand. His knuckles weren’t as rough and calloused as they’d been weeks ago. His skin wasn’t soft, but not hardened either, and had a healthier, rosier colour.
“Why are you so forlorn? You can talk to me if you want.”
“I don’t remember having ever been kissed. Maybe my parents kissed me, but I don’t remember them, and when I was with the circus, no one ever got close to me unless it was Murdock or Cade, and that was to punish me. I don’t remember anyone ever hugging me, either.” He glanced at her hand. “You’re the first person who has freely touched me for no reason. The captain is the first one who has hugged me. I wonder how it feels to be kissed.”
He had never received a kiss.
Emotion tightened her throat because Samuel had known nothing but violence and ridicule all his life. Her mother might be anxious and controlling, but she cared about Vivienne, and Dobkins had always shown care, love, and affection to her. Father, as busy as he was, had always been wonderful to her. She’d grown up surrounded by love and comfort. Instead, Samuel had been lonely and scared for years.
She couldn’t comprehend the extent of his pain but she could feel it.
She inched closer to him, waiting for him to acknowledge her. She signed instead of talking because it was more intimate. “May I give you a kiss?”
Shock flashed across his amber eyes, but then he nodded.
She checked Dobkins wasn’t looking before moving closer. Her lips were an inch from his face. His warmth caressed her.
They both stilled for a moment before she kissed his cheek. She pressed her lips to his skin, finding it surprisingly soft and smooth. She lingered but a moment, catching a whiff of his scent, something fresh and pungent like bergamot.
When she moved back from him, it was as if the air between them had permanently changed, filled with tenderness.
He brought a hand up to cover the spot she’d kissed. His lips parted, and his eyes became larger. A flush coloured his cheeks, and even his lips reddened.
Had she shocked him? Embarrassed him? Maybe she’d been too bold. She ought to remember he lacked her life experiences.
“Are you all right?” she signed.
He nodded but didn’t meet her gaze. Moments passed, and he didn’t say anything.
Staring at the lake, he signed slowly. “It was the most beautiful moment of my life. If I ever start to panic again, it’ll be my happy, precious memory.”
Oddly enough, it would be hers, too.
