The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 34

Waking up with Iris in his arms had already made Char's day.

He smiled and brushed her hair back from her face, careful not to wake her. She had wrapped her arms around his waist in the night, pressing her soft form against him and using his chest as a pillow. A halo of thick chestnut brown hair spread across his torso, her back, and the sheets. Her eyes were still a little puffy from crying last night, but she was still gorgeous, and he couldn't think of a better way to start his morning.

He'd thought the same thing when he'd woken up like this in the mage's tower.

Not all his memories with her in that place were bad. That one was good. Great. Even though he knew he'd been pushing his luck with her, and he'd half-expected her to slap him at any moment for all the teasing and flirting he was dishing out. If she hadn't been so cute about it, he would have stopped, but all her blushing and scolding and feigned annoyance had made him want to keep going, keep testing the waters and see how far he could get with her.

He'd been certain she'd draw the line when he pulled her into bed with him, but she hadn't. She'd faked being mad. And then she'd cuddled up to him and fallen asleep.

He kissed the top of her head. No pushing it today. Or until this was over. She wasn't that kind of girl, anyway.

"Mm..."

She stirred and nuzzled into him, tightening her embrace and shifting her curves against him. The sensation sent a jolt through his body.

Maybe it was time for him to get out of bed.

He eased back, trying not to disturb her, but she sighed and squeezed him tighter. Not making anything easy for him. As usual. He sighed and brushed away the loose strands of hair that had fallen in her face. "Good morning, Iris."

Her eyelids fluttered and opened. Dark brown eyes dimmed by sleep looked up at him, unfocused for a moment, and then they widened as a soft gasp escaped her. A dusting of pink blossomed on her cheeks. She averted her gaze, but a shy smile spread across her lips, and her eyes wandered back to him, peeking up at him through dark eyelashes.

"Good morning, Char."

How was he supposed to resist that?

He slid his fingers under her chin, tilting it up as he leaned in for a light kiss. She didn't flinch away. He grinned against her lips, and when he pulled back, a contented sigh slipped into the space between them. He wasn't sure if it was his or hers. Maybe both.

"How are you feeling?"

"Stiff and sore. It gets better after a few days." She loosened her arms around him as she pulled back, settling her head on the pillow. The smile on her face made his heart skip a beat.

Rath was right. Char really had been an idiot. How could he not have seen it? Why had it taken him so long to admit he was crazy about this girl?

Things hadn't gone so well when he told her the first time, but everything was different now, and the words were bursting to get out. She wouldn't reject him again. He knew she wouldn't. Hoped she wouldn't.

He just needed to say it.

"I love you, Iris."

Her eyes widened. Her smile slid from her lips, and for a moment, he had a sickening feeling in his gut. Then those half-lidded eyes returned to him, and that shy smile was back.

"I love you, too, Char."

That did it.

He cupped her cheek in his hand and moved in closer for a kiss. One led to two, and two led to three, each deeper and longer than the last. Her hand came up to his chest and slid up and around his neck, and he shifted over her, holding her face in both hands and savoring every taste of her soft, inviting lips. He didn't stop kissing her until he ran out of breath.