Page 27 of Lunar Desires (Celestial Magic #2)

DRAKE

H eavy snow fell on Blue Orchard in meaty clumps. A thick mist swirled across the ground, but the fae woman didn’t seem to be present.

I kept quiet, searching for her, only finding Jonathon sleeping inside the cottage, his face contorted with pain.

The silence unnerved me, a sickly quivering in my stomach. This creature was clearly aware of me being here. I felt it through strange shivers in the air, my senses more alert than usual.

Prey to a predator.

Was she the apocalyptic threat?

I shut down my magic, returning to Riley’s bedroom.

He was getting ready by the full-length mirror, dressing in black as he drew in deep breaths, his hands opening and closing. He looked resplendent yet anxious.

A warm sensation pooled in my belly, spreading outward in a radiant wave. Happiness. It was pure happiness, an alien sensation, one I’d believed closed off to me for so long.

I approached him, meeting his sapphire gaze in the glass. He smiled, turning to face me.

“Hi,” he said.

I took him gently by the waist, losing myself in the magnificence of his eyes. With one look, he enchanted me, peeling away my layers, exposing me to his mercy.

You’re the one…

You’re really the one…

“I’m in love with you,” I blurted, immediately hit by a jolt of surprise.

Man, talk about bad timing!

“Sorry!” I backed off. “We’re… Shit. Shit. Shit. I should’ve waited. This isn’t the time for this, but I just wanted you to know.”

Rejection would come next. A whole speech consisting of, “That’s sweet, but after you tried leaving me, I think, well, it’d be best to shut this nonsense down.”

Unworthy trash…

Here came the self-flagellation again, thrown at me like paint. Splatter, splatter, screwing up my equilibrium.

Riley smiled, cocking his head to the side. “Why did you leave the mansion?”

One step closer to rejection. I’d opened my heart and my mouth, turning myself into a fool.

“I…” I stuffed my hands into my pockets, shame heating my face.

“Because I didn’t think myself worthy of you.

That I’d ruin your life, turn it to shit.

Especially after your uncle used me to hurt you.

” I couldn’t meet those eyes anymore, fragile in his presence.

“I thought it would be best for you, but it ended up causing chaos.”

“It did.”

Shit. He hated me. He might have held my hands and kissed my cheek but really he was disgusted, waiting for the right time to cast me adrift.

Man, I couldn’t blame him.

An iron fist closed around my heart.

What if I fell to my knees, begging his forgiveness? But the words would only crystallize in my throat.

This is the end.

I’m not built for love.

“Drake?”

I kept my eyes on the carpet. “Yes?”

Killing blow, any second. Oh, shit. I’d been given the gift of him, and I’d blown it.

“I’m in love with you, too.”

His words hit me like a truck, so hard my knees buckled. I went down onto the floor.

“What happened!” He came down with me, taking my hands. “Drake? Are you okay?”

Body a riot of happiness and surprise, I lifted my head. “Did you really just say that?”

His face of light and softness brightened, freeing my heart from the cruel crush.

“I did,” he answered. “And I meant it.” Lunar rays seemed to shimmer in his eyes.

“I’ve fallen for you. Hard. Mega hard. I just wanted to know why you left.

And…” He shuffled closer. “And I know this is easier for me to say than for you to believe, but you are worthy of love. You’re incredible.

Didn’t I already say you were a fabulous man? ”

Man, his words were honey. “You did.”

“And didn’t I tell you how worthy you are? How much you take my breath away?”

I wanted to cry, my eyes tickling with heat. “Y-yes.”

“You’ve got me, Drake. Just be my boyfriend.

I know this is a whole instalove thing, and this might blow up in our faces.

But screw it. I know I want you as much as I know you’re not worthless.

You keep on fighting, rising again and again like the phoenix on your back.

And you put yourself before me. That’s… Oh, Drake. That’s beyond fabulous.”

If I wasn’t already on the floor, I’d be collapsing under the intensity of his sweetness. “I’d…I’d be honored to be your boyfriend.”

Was this really happening?

He threw out more lovely words. “You were destined to survive so you could be in this moment.” He took a long breath.

“I really do believe we were meant to be. To save each other, to show ourselves we can find love and happiness in a dark world.” He flinched, which made me squeeze his hands.

“There’s so much darkness. Let’s have some sparkle, boyfriend. ”

My heart thundered in my chest. The light of Riley Aurora chased the shadows to the fringes again.

I’d been a fool. A serious fool.

I grabbed his face, crushing my lips to his. He responded by opening his mouth, melding his lips to mine, his hands finding my shoulders.

I loved him. I really, really loved him. He was right. Fuck the speed of this. Who said love didn’t come quickly sometimes? I’d never encountered a rule against it.

Sparks danced between us as we kissed, pushing us closer to the next stage—the clothing removal stage.

We broke the kiss at the same time.

“Better save it for later,” he said, licking his lips.

I nodded, spotting an eyelash on his cheek. I caught it with my finger, gently blowing it away.

He got to his feet again. “I’m ready.”

“Me too.”

With his declaration, I could fight a million Jonathon Auroras, along with an army of shades.

He took my hand again, leading me to the door.

I knew my issues wouldn’t go away overnight. Not by a long shot. The same applied to Riley. But having him by my side steadied us both in the tide of chaos. This was a journey, one we’d face together as we explored the wonderful realms of our relationship.

Man, I really was one lucky witch.