Page 40 of Protected By the Elf Prince

Dashiel had noticed.

Of course he had.

The elf apparently noticed everything.

His expression shifted subtly, and it wasn’t in a smug or mocking way. More that he seemed pleased and interested.

My pulse jumped hard enough that I was convinced he’d heard it.

“You continue looking at my mouth,” he observed softly.

Every coherent thought left my brain. “I… ah….”

His gaze darkened slightly. Then, very gently, he asked, “Would you like a taste?”

Jesus Christ.

Would I?

Yeah, all right, I would.

“I am sorry,” he said immediately, voice quieter now as he added, “I should not have said that. I will leave.”

He made to stand, but when I reached out and placed my hand on his arm, he stopped. The mark on my wrist tingled, and Dashiel froze beneath my touch.

My pulse hammered hard. “I didn’t say no,” I muttered, but the words came out rougher than I intended.

Dashiel’s eyes rose slowly to mine. Hope flickered there so fast and bright, it nearly stole my breath.

“You did not,” he agreed softly.

Neither of us moved.

The television continued to play, but it was forgotten background noise somewhere behind the roaring in my ears, while my hand remained on his arm. He was warm, solid, and so very real.

God, this was really happening.

“I-I don’t know what I’m doing. I mean, I do. I know how to kiss, but I’ve never done it with a guy or an elf.”

“I am glad you never have.”

My lips pulled up in the corner. “Or you’d find them and burn them?”

“Exactly.” His tone was hard, which kicked up my pulse again

Dashiel turned back to me and moved slowly toward me, giving me enough time to pull away.

I didn’t.

I couldn’t.

The closer he got, the more my body reacted. My cock throbbed. My stomach took off in flight with nerves and excitement.

My breath caught when he was so close, I could feel his warm, sweet-scented breath, and before I could overthink and panic, I leaned forward and pressed my mouth to his.

For one stunned second, my brain completely blanked. Before everything instantly recharged and lit my world up as he cupped my cheek, and we deepened the kiss like it was what we both needed to do.

I tightened my hand on his arm while his thumb brushed slowly along my jaw, causing heat to spread through me.