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Rook stared at Lucanis, wide-eyed and unsure of what she’d just heard. “Wait. Did you make dessert just for me?” She blinked, trying to come to terms with the emotions tangled within her. She’d almost given up hope that the assassin reciprocated her feelings, even after her strange journey into his mental prison, but this… the amount of effort required to make this dessert for her? She could scarcely believe it, but the memory of his words in the Fade Ossuary came to mind. It’s better I stay here than risk losing you , he’d said, and understanding struck her like a bolt from a Venatori.
“There’s enough for everyone.” Lucanis’s tone was matter-of-fact, but she noticed that he didn’t deny that it was intended for her . His eyes met hers, and she swore she could see the hope in them, though that might have been her own.
A laugh escaped Rook, though her heart was in her throat. “As long as they don’t mind having it with my favorite drink,” she managed, willing him to commit one way or another. Was this truly what she had hoped for for so long? Or was wishful thinking skewing her perception?
“They won’t complain,” he answered, and while she knew it was true (their team never complained about dessert), still…
“Lucanis. You didn’t have to do anything special for me.” Rook’s voice was soft, but firm. She suddenly desperately needed to know if she was misinterpreting him once again.
“Yes, I did.” His dark gaze was steady on hers, but he glanced away as he continued, “I still don’t know how to apologize for…” For? “Everything.” Everything. What did he mean by that? Losing control of Spite with Zara? The moment in the pantry, when he’d seemed to reject her? Did everything really mean everything ? “And you…” Lucanis began, but Rook could hold it in no longer.
“You made dessert! Just for me!” She waved a hand to encompass the kitchen and all its contents. Her body was buzzing with anxiety and anticipation alike.
“It’s nothing. Or not enough.” He rubbed his beard sheepishly, and she realized that somehow, maybe, he was unsure of her feelings. She thought she’d been so obvious, especially given that shared moment in the pantry, but perhaps…
“It is . And you are .” She stared into his eyes and willed him to understand the depths of her longing. She had no idea what he saw in her face, but his eyes seemed to glow with affection. “And I’ll have you know, I’m very easily bribed,” she teased, eyes sparkling and a delighted smile on her face. He beamed back at her, the fondness palpable in his eyes.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he replied, voice equally teasing, and full of promise.
Putting a hand on Lucanis’s shoulder, Rook raised up to kiss him on the cheek. It was meant to be a peck, just a small gesture of thanks, but she felt him stiffen a bit under her lips. “Sorry,” she mumbled, starting to pull away. He caught her hand gently before she could retreat entirely.
“I just… it’s been a long time since I’ve felt a gentle touch,” he murmured, then brought her hand to his own lips to kiss her knuckles. Her heart broke a little at his words, and she shifted to cradle his face tenderly.
“You deserve all the gentleness in the world,” she told him, her voice thick with the intensity of her feelings. She lifted back up to her tiptoes to kiss him on the forehead.
Lucanis sighed with contentment, and his hand rose to cover hers on his cheek. Linking their fingers together, he tilted his cheek further into her hold, then turned to press a kiss into her palm. His lips drifted lower to brush over her wrist, making the pulse there jump, and she wondered dreamily if he could feel it too . Then, eyes on hers the whole time, he brought both hands to her waist and gently, gently tugged her closer, giving her ample opportunity to break free. But she wasn’t going anywhere, not when he was this close. Her eyelids fluttered closed and she shivered in anticipation as his mouth finally descended to hers in a tentative caress of lips.
His lips were softer than she would have expected and tasted faintly of coffee and cinnamon. Sweet and intriguing… yes, this certainly rated. A little thrill sparked within her at his low groan. Gods, how she loved the sound of it. She wound her arms around his neck to close any remaining distance between them as he brought his lips back to hers. Her body pressed tight against his, a perfect fit, but she wanted more . She felt as though she couldn’t possibly get close enough to him for her liking – she practically wanted to be inside his skin. He pulled back for a fraction of a second to reposition, mouth slanting against hers in an even deeper kiss. She gasped at the sensation and he took advantage of the parting of her lips to explore her mouth. Her fingers wove into his hair to anchor herself against the onslaught of her own desire.
A soft sound escaped Rook as Lucanis eventually drew away and rested his forehead against hers. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time,” he admitted, thumbs tracing along her sides. In that moment, she was exquisitely aware of how thin her shirt was – she felt ablaze beneath his palms, but the heat was a balm to her. Reluctantly, she disentangled herself and stepped away.
“We’d better stop or you’ll burn dinner,” she said, heart somehow both full and light at the same time. She’d had a few first kisses before, but she didn’t recall ever being quite this giddy after one.
“I would never ,” Lucanis protested, though his quick glance over to the stovetop put the lie to that confidence. He was still smiling wider than she’d ever seen him, despite the reminder of his responsibilities for the evening, and perhaps even a bit flushed.
“Anything I can do?” Rook asked, trying to look her most helpful. She wasn’t exactly a master in the kitchen, but she needed to burn off the energy racing through her.
“ Mi chispa , you are entirely too distracting, and I have to finish this,” he chided, but with no censure in his tone. “Go play with Assan. Davrin said he missed you earlier. I’ll come for you when it’s ready, I promise.” She sighed overdramatically, but as she was leaving, she hooked a finger through his collar chain and pulled his mouth down to hers for one final kiss. It was soft, sweet, full of potential… and absolutely perfect.