Page 148 of Kiss of Seduction

“A few hours.” Natalya stroked Evie’s hair, untangling her long locks. “I may have helped. I liked watching you sleep.”

Remembering what they’d done just before she fell asleep, Evie bit her lip and grinned.

“So you’re not mad at me anymore?”

“Don’t test me.” Natalya pressed a kiss to Evie’s forehead. Rather than pull away, she stayed there. She held Evie tighter for a moment. Like she was afraid Evie was about to slip away. “You’re wonderful, Evie.”

Evie’s face was pressed against Natalya. She was happy for it. As out of it as she was, she doubted she could have kept the flutter of emotion off her face. The yearning she felt hearing that. The ache in her chest of wanting more and which turned painful with the knowledge that it couldn’t be. That despite Natalya’s perfect tenderness, she didn’t love Evie like Evie loved her.

She tried to ignore it. She hugged Natalya back, as well as she could, wrapped in the blanket. “You’re wonderful too.”

Natalya laughed softly. “That’s not how I’m usually described.”

“It’s what you are to me.” Evie regretted the words the moment she said them. It was too much like revealing how she felt, and with that would come rejection.

Evie had taken all the steps. Their first time together happened because Evie wanted it. After the dance studio, Evie sought out Natalya when she didn’t want to talk. Evie had even put on the damn Chain pendant without being asked.

When she’d done all that, and Natalya still didn’t say anything, it could only mean she didn’t feel the same way.

Then Evie had a sudden, horrible realization. Natalya moved away so she could see Evie’s face.

“You tensed. What’s wrong?”

Evie couldn’t look at her. “You can feel my emotions. Right?”

“I can. You said you don’t like when I do it, so I try not to. Though, your strong emotions I can’t help but feel.”

“Can you…” Evie swallowed. “Can you feel me right now?”

“No. Not right now.”

That was a relief. Whatever stupid, doting emotions Evie had could be pushed down, and Natalya wouldn’t know. She wouldn’t notice.

“But I can tell something is bothering you,” Natalya said. “Something is on your mind.”

“You worry too much.”

“I can’t help but worry. Not when it’s about you.”

Why did she have to say stupid, perfect words like that? Words that sounded so caring andloving,it was like Evie’s heart was being crushed.

“Do I have to talk about it?” Evie said quietly. She didn’t want to. Not when she was so comfortable in Natalya’s arms. Not when it would result in a rift growing between them again. “Please, just… Not right now. Later.”

Natalya didn’t look pleased. But she nodded. Then her face took on a gentler quality. Her violet eyes, normally sharp like crystals, softened.

“You’ve come so far since I first met you,” Natalya said. “You were so scared then. I wondered if there was anything of you left. If they had broken you. But you are so brave, Evie. So strong. You astonish me.”

Stunned by the words, Evie went silent. She didn’t know what she should say hearing that. She barely knew what she felt, andshe was scared whatever she said wouldn’t be received right. She wasn’t like Natalya, who knew all the right words.

“Can I ask you a question?” Natalya said.

Evie hesitated at her serious tone, then nodded slowly.

“What’s your favorite color?”

Evie laughed. She’d said it so seriously, and it was such a basic thing. She stopped laughing when Natalya’s expression didn’t change. She really wanted to know.

“Purple.”