Page 101 of Light in Your Eyes

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The sound of the wood being burned inside the fireplace fills the room. Kellan and I are wrapped in a blanket. We're sitting in front of the fireplace.

The heat has made us stop shivering, and my heart has started calming down. We've tossed our drenched clothes, but we're not naked. I've changed into a pair of pajamas, and Kellan is wearing shorts.

I look up at Kellan, who's staring toward the fire. His side view—hit by the light emitting from the flame in this dim-lit room—is perfect. I wonder how someone could have such perfect features.

I can see the reflection of the fire dancing in his mesmerizing gray eyes, and I wish that I could capture this beautiful sight.

"What are you thinking about?" I whisper.

He doesn't answer for a long moment, but then he says, "I don't know. Everything."

My brows furrow. I hug my knees tighter, leaning closer to him under the blanket. "Tell me," I say gently.

He still doesn't shift his gaze to me. "I want you to be happy, Layla."

My frown grows deeper as I wonder what's on his mind. I shake my head, and a small smile touches my lips. "I am," I say without any ounce of doubt. "Especially now. I'm happy being here with you."

I hear nothing from him, so I touch his cheek, making him turn his head toward me.

"Are you?" I ask, staring into his eyes and hoping to see the light in them again. I think that I'm seeing it now, but I can't be sure because Kellan rarely smiles.

"Here with you?" he asks.

I wait for him to say more. I'm dying to know his answer.

"You have no idea," he speaks through clenched teeth.

I wish he could just give me a yes or no answer because his words confuse me. Yet, deep in my heart, I know the answer.

"Kiss me," I whisper, wanting him to erase any doubt I have in my mind.

I'll find the answer again in the way he kisses me. I found it before.

Kellan's face draws closer to mine, and I close my eyes. His lips brush against mine, and I feel my heart burst.

He moves his lips against mine, slowly, carefully, like I'm a fragile thing that he can break at any time. But then, his chest starts to rise and fall. His breathing becomes quicker, like he can't hold the emotions building up inside him.

He kisses me more urgently, with such passion. I can't help but touch his chest. I need to feel him more. I need him.

He shudders as my fingers graze his bare chest. He putshis hand on my nape, deepening our kiss. Then he licks my lower lip, asking for permission. When I give it to him, he caresses my tongue with his. I moan, and it sounds so vulnerable, echoing in the silent room.

The temperature seems to increase significantly, and I know that it's not because of the fireplace next to us.

Kellan travels his hand upward to my hair. He gently runs his fingers through it before he suddenly grabs a fistful of it. He tilts my neck to the side, and the next thing I feel is his butterfly kisses along my neck.

My moans are now mixed with gasps. I'm burning from his touch. My lips part as I close my eyes. I want to feel him more and more.

"Fuck," he curses under his breath before returning his lips to mine.

I arch, wrapping my arms around his neck and settling myself on his lap. His hands caress my back and waist—I can even feel his fingers slipping under my pajama top to feel the skin on my back.

"Layla," he warns.

But I can't think clearly.

We kiss, kiss, and kiss like we need each other to breathe.