Page 99 of Halo

A warmth unfurls low in my belly I don't recognize, and I start to ache. My mind can't catch up, instinct replacing thought in a way that makes me panic as my hips begin to rock.

“Wait,” I whisper, placing my hand over his.

He stills immediately, lifting his head. His eyes are dark, searching mine for answers. “Are you okay?”

“I …” I work my jaw, searching for an explanation that doesn't make me sound like a complete loser. Because there is absolutely nothing wrong with what we were doing … but now I fear there is absolutely something wrong with me.

“Leah? It's okay. You can talk to me.”

“I … I'm sorry. I …” I stare at him for a moment longer, then I clamp my hands over my eyes. “I am so sorry.”

“Hey-hey-hey …” He gently cups my wrists. “No apologizing, remember?”

“But I … ugh. I ruined the moment.”

A crooked smile grows across his swollen lips. “I got to kiss you. And then I got to kiss you again. I'd hardly call that ruined.”

“Really?”

“Really.” He kisses my forehead. “I am gonna need you to get off my lap though—”

“Oh gosh! I'm sorry—”

“No, no.” He chuckles. “You've done nothing wrong. It's just … a … hazard of sorts. With you. On top of me.”

My cheeks warm as he helps me back onto the bench. “Do you want to talk about what just happened?”

I shake my head.

The answer seems to suffice for now—which I'm grateful for because I'm not quite sure what just happened or why my body started throbbing like that.

Or why my core is still pulsating.

Nick wraps his arm around me, keeping me close. He buries his nose in my hair, resting his chin. “Your hair …” He inhales and hums.

I giggle. “Is it okay?”

He cuddles closer, nuzzling into me. “More than okay. It's—” he exhales—“I can never get enough of it.”

I snuggle into him, laughing at the sleepy-lilt to his words.

Then I still.

I sit up, my eyes searching his.

“You okay, darlin’?”

“My shampoo. It's peony scented.”

That dimple slowly appears. “Yeah … I know.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “But … how?”

“Honestly, I didn't know until I went to buy you flowers." He smiles to himself. “I told the florist I was looking for a flower that smelled like your hair.”

I blink.

“You what?”