Deadly

Chapter 25

Should I tell him? Should I confess once again and put myself at risk? I couldn't help but to think about all those times in the past when I tried to both show and tell him the way I felt. He'd brushed me aside and ran off every time. Each time broke my heart just a little bit more.

" I promise." He said sincerely.

" You want to know what I think about when I look at you?" I asked quietly.

" Yes."

With one final decision that could make or break me, I took the leap. " I think about how you feel like home when the palace became just another place. You reminded me of what it felt like to be happy, when I had every reason not to be. I was constantly surrounded by people, but I was alone until you came along. I fell for your smile, for your innocent nature, your sweet gestures. I fell for the way you looked at me, like I mattered, like no one has ever looked at me before."

I could feel my heart stutter in my chest.

Right before everything changed, I could see the longing in his eyes. When he closed the space between us and his lips met mine in a passionate kiss, I knew it was real. No more day dreaming, no second guessing if this moment was real or not. He was here, and he was kissing me because he wanted to.

His lips moved against mine slowly at first, then with vigor. He took my face into his hands, tangling his fingers into my hair. It was one of the most amazing feelings in the world.

I inched back to catch my breath, my brain unable to tell my lungs to breath. He only allowed me a second, cupping the back of my neck with one hand and wrapping his other arm around my waist to pull my body closer.

To hell with breathing.

Barely able to focus, I traced my hands over his sharp jawline, long neck and broad shoulders. He didn't mind my clumsy movements or when I bit down on his bottom lip.

The sensible part of me, the part that was barely functioning, wondered what came over him. Why now, all of a sudden? I wished that stupid voice would shatter into a trillion pieces and evaporate into nothing, but it didn't. Until he gave me the answer, that part of me wouldn't be able to rest.

" Dallas," I said through a long breath. " What-"

" Don't," he said against my lips. He shook his head, eyes still closed. " Don't ask me to explain, don't ask me if this is real. It is, and I can't explain it."

" I didn't think that you felt the same." I said quietly. Doubt started to creep in. Everyone had their moments of weakness, their bad decisions when they were in a dark place. What if he didn't feel the same way? What if he was just using me to fill the void? " Do you?"

" I always have," he said quietly, his eyes opening to stare into mine. " I tried to resist it, tried to fight it. But I couldn't win, I didn't even stand a chance."

" What do you mean?" I asked.

Brushing the hair from my face, he pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek, then my chin. " Do you know what you do to people? You're different, and different is dangerous in a way that you don't even understand."

" You're right, I don't understand." I said honestly.

" Some day you will, if this world doesn't break you first." He said. Pulling back, he traced the line of my face with his fingers. "Goodbye Katherine."

Confused, I watched him stand and walk to the latter. " Dallas?"

He stopped, turned and looked at me. " Yes?"

" Before you go, may I ask you a question?" I asked.

He nodded, waiting.

" Am I foolish to think you might be in love with me?" I asked nervously. Twisting my hands together on my lap, I looked at him through my lashes.