Salvation's Kiss (Tales Of Mython Book 1) by Kathryn Jayne (old books to read .TXT) 📗

Conrad smiled as he watched Ashley close her eyes with delight as the rich flavour of ice-cream teased her tongue. He had insisted, in thanks for her showing him all the best places in Overton’s city centre, that she allowed him to treat her at the dessert parlour. His offer seemed to spark a small internal battle within until finally, she nodded her acceptance.

“You weren’t kidding, this place is amazing.” He broke the silence almost regretfully, seeing how much she was savouring this treat. The way her eyes seemed to sparkle suggested this was something of a rare indulgence for her. If this was all it took to earn a smile so vibrant, he would bring her here every week. Except he couldn’t. For his own sake, if not for hers. Even if there was something about this rusty-haired beauty that stirred his other-self, as if that part of him called to her, knew her, he couldn’t allow it. He knew better. Besides, she was simply human, and that one fact ensured that no matter how he felt, they could never be more than friends. Never, he asserted. His stern thoughts didn’t change anything, though. His temperature still rose a fraction whenever their auras crossed, but no matter how desperately he tried, he could scent nothing on her that was causing him to react this way.

He needed to know more, understand the hold she seemed to have on him. It wasn’t right, it wasn’t fair. He should not be feeling this way. From the moment her eyes had met his, and shifted from their beautiful grey to the stormy shade of rain clouds, it was as if a tether between them had been formed. Her gaze was mesmerising, inviting him to reveal his every secret, and having been caught so unaware he had almost complied. His mother had a name for eyes like hers—witch eyes—although he tasted no magic from the air around her.

“So, what brought you this way?” Ashley asked. He found himself smiling at her innocent pleasure as her finger traced around the edge of the ice-cream glass carefully to ensure she removed every trace of caramel.

A shiver passed through him, his gaze imagining her touch upon his flesh for a moment before berating himself silently. What the hell was he doing? He was not one to be infatuated with another, and that’s all this was, infatuation towards the first person to show him any kindness after the hell he had suffered for so long. A relationship was the furthest thing from his mind, but she had only smiled at him and he was already in trouble. No, he asserted. He wasn’t willing to be make himself vulnerable again, to face another rejection, especially not from her. Not from the person whose disarming smile had made him feel as if he had finally come home.

He realised he was staring, and her question had gone unanswered.

“Mum’s work,” he admitted, tearing his gaze from her to the dessert before him. “She’s received a research grant from one of the centres outside Overton. It was too far a commute from our old territory, plus the place they’re renting us is amazing. She can work from home most days, it has everything.” He cringed, knowing he had overcompensated for the silence with too much information.

“She must be talented to be offered something like that.”

“She’s renowned in her field.” Conrad turned his penetrative gaze towards her again, watching the subtle undertones of her eyes shift as if they mirrored her every thought. “Why don’t you ask me what you really want to?” He instantly regretted asking, wondering exactly what he could tell her, why she filled his thoughts with such confusion and contradictions.

“I don’t know what you mean.” The blush that chased across her cheeks would have put the stars to shame.

“I’ve seen how you’re looking at me, how you’re trying to see me.” There was no other way to describe it; the intensity with which she beheld him felt as if she was trying to peer into the deepest region of his soul, to see everything he was. Everything he kept hidden. Worse still, that part of him responded to her scrutiny in a way he had never before experienced and he knew if she were to see him so completely, look beyond his defences, she would not like what she found. Maybe that was the answer. Perhaps he should let her; do away with the charade, scare her away. But then, why bother moving here at all? He closed his eyes, envisioning her gentle features twisting into hatred and disgust the way Rei’s had. His resolve faltered. Besides, she was only human, they were incompatible. Everything he was feeling now was because she smiled, because he had gone too long without an ounce of kindness from his peers. It would soon pass.

“I look at everyone like this.” She shrugged, tracing her finger around the glass once more.

“I noticed. What is it you’re looking for?” He inhaled, once more trying to sense any power she exhibited, but the only scent from her was the soft aroma of lavender clothes powder and the delicate fragrance of honey released from her hair as she shook her head softly.

Ashley looked at her watch, her eyes widening. “Gosh, is that the time? I should get going or I’ll be late for my shift.” Seeming flustered, she gathered her things together, slipping on her jacket. He glanced at the clock behind the counter. Six o’clock. How was it possible for four hours to have passed so quickly?

“Is it okay if we talk tomorrow? I may need some more notes since it seems we’re studying along the same lines.” There was no hesitation in her answer, and yet he felt as if he had held his breath indefinitely.

“Sure. Tomorrow then.” The promise left a brief tingle of electricity hanging in the air between them. He wondered if