Forget sparks. Together, we’re a raging inferno so blistering, I’m scared that I’ll burst into flames if I touch him. It’s fitting, seeing how falling for Rowan is like playing with fire. One wrong move can consume me. Ruin me. Turn me into nothing but ashes in his wake.
But I want to risk falling in love anyway in the hopes that we create something beautiful together. Like a diamond built under pressure, with flaws that make us stunning. I want that kind of love with Rowan. The one that is as passionate as a wildfire and as long-lasting as a gem.
One of the hands gripping my hips moves onto my clit. His thumb presses against the sensitive flesh, shoving me into sweet oblivion. Rowan holds on to me as he plunges into the dark after me.
He’s perfect. We’re perfect. Everything is so perfect, I’m afraid of saying anything aloud. This is more than lust, but I refuse to be the first to admit it. No matter how tempted I am.
40
Rowan
Zahra’s hand shivers against mine. “Are you going to tell me where we are going?”
“If I told you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore.”
She rearranges a scarf over her face. Her entire body trembles despite me lending her my only coat because Ani packed her a jean jacket.
The two pom-poms at the top of her hat bob as she follows me down the busy street. “Does this surprise include something warm to drink? I can barely feel my toes anymore.”
“That’s because your sneakers aren’t meant for this weather.”
“I don’t think my sister had a clue how cold it gets here.” She rubs her gloved hands together.
I should’ve bought her better winter clothes while we were here. She’s trembling like a leaf and I’m afraid she’ll fly away with the next gust of wind.
“You’re not ready for a Chicago winter if you think this is cold.”
“I didn’t know I was expecting a Chicago winter anything.”
I smack one of her pom-poms. “You’re my date for the New Year’s Eve gala.”
“What kind of selfish people host a gala on New Year’s? Don’t people like to spend it with their families?”
“Sure, if they’re ninety and in a retirement home.” I grab her hand and cross the road with her. Despite her neon jacket, I don’t trust her not to get stuck in oncoming traffic because she’s amazed by all the lights and people.
“Do you ever ask instead of order? First, it was going to New York. Now it’s a gala for New Year’s. Do I have a choice when it comes to you?”
“Sure. Tonight you can decide how you want to have sex first.” I grin. The muscles in my face feel looser this time like I’m finally adjusting to this kind of gesture.
She smacks my arm with the edge of her scarf. “How generous of you.”
“Come on. We’re almost there. Just one more street over.”
We make it to Rockefeller Center. A crowd of people surrounds the massive tree dazzling with multicolored lights.
Zahra cranes her neck back to get a look at the seventy-five-foot-tall tree. “Wow. This puts the Dreamland tree to shame!”
I’m tempted to make the next tree at Dreamland as gigantic as this one to make her this happy.
I wrap my arm around her and tuck her into my side. “What do you think?”
“That this is the closest thing we have to magic. Seriously, how do they even find a tree that large? The North Pole?”
I choke on a laugh. “More like somewhere in Connecticut.”