Blade

Chapter 72: Lure the tiger

Sienna

The moment his lips touch mine, everything else fades. His kiss is soft at first, almost careful, as if he is memorizing the shape of my mouth all over again.

His hand stays on my cheek, warm against my skin, guiding me closer without pulling or forcing.

I feel myself melt into him, my fingers curling into the front of his coat. The kiss deepens slowly, filled with a tenderness that takes me by surprise and sends me spiraling.

It feels like he is telling me how he feels again, but this time it hits harder, so intense that my heart feels ready to burst from my chest.

He tilts his head and continues kissing me in that slow, gentle way, his lips brushing my bottom lip while mine press softly against his top one. His thumb strokes the side of my face, and a deep, satisfied breath escapes him as we kiss like it is our first time again, only softer, like our hearts are learning each other all over again.

My breath mixes with his, my body aching to sink into his warmth and disappear in it. It has been a while since we kissed, and I made sure to avoid it at all costs, but now I can’t hold myself back anymore because I want him just as much as he wants and needs me.

I can’t deny that kissing him again makes me feel alive, and it softens the ache in my chest a little.

Blade finally pulls back so we can breathe, his forehead resting lightly against mine. His chest rises and falls in a rough rhythm.

“I can get high on the taste of your lips alone,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing my jaw as if he can’t stop touching me.

All I can do is smile because I have no idea how to respond and I’m completely breathless.

He eventually moves away, and we continue eating slowly like nothing happened, like that kiss didn’t shift everything into a heated haze. Every time Blade’s hand brushes mine while reaching for something, a small spark shoots up my arm.

When we finally finish eating, the bottle of rosé empty beside us, he rises and extends his hand to me.

“Come with me.”

I place my hand in his without a second thought, and he grips it firmly before gently pulling me to my feet.

He guides me toward a frozen lake tucked between the trees. The surface gleams like polished glass, catching the late afternoon light in silver streaks. It is so breathtaking that a soft gasp slips from my lips.

Then I notice the skates waiting at the edge of the lake, already prepared.

“Wait, we’re going to skate?” I ask, my eyes widening with anxious excitement as Blade kneels in front of me and begins to remove my boot.

“Yes, baby,” he replies, helping me slip my foot into the skate. “Have you ever skated?”

“No, but I’ve always wanted to. I never had the guts to actually do it. I may be fearless, but the ice is a whole different game, and I know I’ll get humbled.”

Blade chuckles as he takes off his shoes and puts on his own skates.

He rises to his feet and offers his hand again, his eyes crinkling with amusement. I take it with a smile, letting him guide me as we move closer to the icy surface. The cold air nips at my cheeks, and my stomach knots with a mix of nerves and anticipation.