Page 83 of Hawk & Sparrow

Vesper hesitated, then: “Fine. One, then.” She turned so that her body faced him too, then leaned forward slightly. Her breath caught as he closed the gap between them, so that he was close enough for her to count every one of the dark lashes that framed his violet eyes.

“You ready?” he murmured.

“It’s a kiss, Mr. Kite.” Vesper did her best to keep her voice steady. “Not a root canal.”

“Just one more thing,” he said. “You’re doing this of your own free will, yes? You do give me your consent to kiss you?”

“You’re asking?”

“I always ask.” His eyes flicked to her mouth. “So, is that a yes?”

Vesper swallowed. “Yes.”

“Very good.” Maximilian leaned even closer. “Now, I know this is going to be difficult for you, but you’re going to have to do what I say.”

A strange sensation thrummed low in Vesper’s belly. “Oh?”

“Trust me.” Maximilian’s voice was low. “If I have the honor of being your first kiss, I intend to get it right. Now, sit up and lean toward me just a bit more.”

Slowly, Vesper adjusted. She took in the faint smell of pine as she drew closer, and felt something within her coil tight like a set spring.

“Now, close your eyes for me, love.”

Vesper took one last breath, then closed her eyes. A beat passed that felt a century long, and then Maximilian’s lips met hers, surprisingly soft. At first, she froze, unsure. He tasted like cider, somehow sweet and spiced at the same time. Her lips moved against his of their own accord. Then something took over. It wasn’t quite instinct, it didn’t come from any kind of experience. But when she tilted her head just slightly, it felt like the most logical thing in the world to do. She’d never felt this before, but she’d felt things like it. The excitement coursing through her body, warming her, was the same excitement she felt when a story she was writing came together, when the last pieces of a puzzle clicked into place. She pulled back and opened her eyes.

“Well,” she asked. “How did I do?”

Maximilian’s smile was gone. He was staring at her. “I thought you said you’d never been kissed before?”

Vesper faltered. “I … haven’t.”

“Then I need to ask you another question, Miss Evans.”

“What?”

He leaned in again, pressing his forehead against hers. “How would you feel about me being your second kiss too?”

Vesper’s heart thundered in her chest. “I … I suppose that would be fine.”

This time, Maximilian hooked a finger under her chin and guided her toward him. Their lips met a second time, but Vesper knew, from the moment they touched, that this would be different. A shiver ran through her body as his tongue gently flicked her bottom lip, tasting her. His fingertips dragged along her rib cage and down to her hip, featherlight, and Vesper marveled at the warmth of his hands through the nightgown’s thin cotton. They broke apart, but only so that Maximilian could trace his lips from hers to a spot at the start of her jawline. He began to kiss that bit of skin, over and over, working his way down her neck to the curve where her shoulder began. He lightly dragged his teeth across the bare skin, and Vesper’s breathing turned ragged.

“Do you like this?” he whispered between kisses. “What I’m doing?”

Vesper nodded. She didn’t trust herself to speak.

“Do you want me to continue?” he said against her mouth.

Vesper nodded again.

He pulled back, so that their eyes met. “Ask.”

Vesper started. “What?”

He smirked. “I want you to ask me for what you want.”

“I…” Vesper’s throat tightened. “I don’t know what I want.”

“Then I have a few ideas.”