Page 82 of Flameborne: Chosen (Emberquell Academy #1)

She blinked and I froze. We both stared. Time stopped.

Can’t do it. Shouldn’t do it. Wrong to do it.

Have to do it.

I opened my mouth, searching for the right words, searching for the resolve to do what I was supposed to do—but somehow I only inched closer.

And she swayed towards me.

I don’t think either of us breathed.

“Bren…” Somewhere in the back of my mind I became aware of Kgosi returning to range. Almost close enough to speak. My dragon was elated. Thrilled. And deeply satisfied.

I wanted that feeling.

I blinked and discovered I had cupped her beautiful face when I wasn’t paying attention. She searched my eyes, her own flickering between anticipation and confusion.

I had to release her, but I wasn’t strong enough. The roiling in my chest eased now that I could touch her. I stroked the soft velvet of her cheeks with my thumbs and blew out a breath.

She’d gripped my wrists, just like she did when I panicked after she landed at the end of the trial. But there was no clawing. No scream of elation. No frantic energy. Just us. Her and me. And a soft, warm pulse in my chest that I would have sworn echoed in hers.

When I spoke, my voice was hoarse. Ragged. “Bren, can I—?”

“Yes.”

I hesitated. “I didn’t tell you what I wanted to do.”

She swallowed hard again. “I trust you,” she whispered as if the words shocked her. “I don’t trust anyone, Donavyn. But I trust you. The answer’s yes.”

Touched and terrified, elated and alarmed, I meant to let her go but instead took a firmer grip on her sweet cheeks.

Her fingers tightened on my wrists when I pulled her closer, drew her up on her toes and leaned down…

That terrible, tight, painful knot in my chest unraveled as I finally tasted that soft, sweet mouth.

My breath shuddered out of me, the jolt of need forcing me to snap a leash on my desire and allow myself only a small taste, rather than the feast I yearned for.

I barely brushed my lips over hers, yet my chest exploded in light and need.

But I didn’t give in. I tasted her once, twice, then forced myself to open my eyes and lift my head enough to meet her blinking, stunned gaze.

“Are you certain, Bren?” I whispered .

I searched those beautiful blue pools, terrified of what I might find—but overjoyed when she gazed back at me with fire in her eyes.

In answer, she plunged a hand into my tangled hair and pulled me back into the kiss.

And this time I didn’t resist.

THE END but not for long! Fall into the glowing embers of the next book, Flameborne: Fury here!