A Court of Stars and Memories

59. Wants and Needs

    Lysander's kiss stole her breath entirely. Mitsi was hardly aware of anything other than the feeling of his lips on hers. She gripped his shoulders for support, unsure of how her legs were still holding her up.

    Every part of her trembled from the fierce pounding of her heart. She made a small sound as Lysander nudged his lips harder against her own and tilted her head to the side, deepening the kiss.

    He loved her. The thought repeated over and over again. He loved her! Mitsi smiled against his lips. One of Lysander's hands fell to her waist and he pulled her flush with his chest. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart, racing in tune with her own.

    Mitsi sighed again as his other hand touched her cheek, her hair, her neck, leaving a trail of sparks behind. His scent overwhelmed her senses, juniper, clay, and seafoam. And something more besides, she realized.

    Lysander kissed her hungrily, almost without restraint. She felt the barest scrape of his teeth against her bottom lip. Mitsi opened her eyes and broke away, panting for breath. Lysander didn't protest, though she saw the lingering glint of desire in his gaze. Smelled it in his scent.

    But he'd been through enough today and this was bound to complicate things. She should stop it now before they both gave in to whatever was happening. "We should slow down," Mitsi whispered breathlessly. "Don't you think?"

    "Is that what you want?" His voice was low and husky. She saw his thoughts reflecting in his hazel eyes. He would stop if that's what she wished, but that wasn't what he wanted. Not in the least.

    "It's been a long day. You should rest. Recover. I don't want you to make a decision in the moment that you'll regret later on," Mitsi explained, stammering over her rapid words. "You must want time to think over all of this. Maybe I should go." She turned abruptly. "I can come back tomorrow and..."

    Lysander caught her by the arm. Mitsi froze, her heart leaping into her throat. "I want whatever you want," he said. "So tell me. Do you really want to stop, or are you stopping because you think that's what I want?"

    Mitsi gulped. "I think you've had a hard day and I've just made it harder. I...I didn't mean for this to..." She shook her head, at a loss for words.

    Lysander's hands were gentle as he cupped her face in his palms, dropping a kiss to her temple, then the corner of her mouth. "Don't apologize, my Heart. You've done nothing wrong. In fact, you've done everything right. You are perfect, you know that?"

    A smile tugged at her lips as she blushed. "You're just saying that to make me feel better."

    "I'm saying it because it's true. I've thought it since the day I first met you. You are the most perfect female I've ever known." Lysander kissed her softly. "I love you." He kissed her again. "And...I want you."

    "Are you sure?"

    He nodded. "But only if you're ready."

    It was her turn to nod, her breath coming in short, uneven intervals. "I just want you to be sure."

    "I am sure." A faint sigh escaped her lips as Lysander pressed light kisses to her neck. "I've wanted you longer than I've allowed myself to believe. And right now, I need you."

    "What about your injuries?" Mitsi ran her hands down his arms, but to her surprise, she felt nothing but slightly raised scars.

    "Healed," Lysander mumbled, kissing the hollow below her ear. Mitsi gasped as he caught her earlobe between his teeth and gave a short tug. "I told you they'd heal quickly."