The Shadow Knight sweeps my hands down and unlatches the shutters with his other hand. His heat and strength are at my back, close enough for me to feel his muscular presence, his scent winding through my senses. Brownies have been a source of happiness since I was old enough to eat them and his smell calms me.
He pushes open one shutter, his hand remaining over mine on the sill. His left hand goes to my hip and he moves close enough for his hips to rest against my backside.
Do I move or stay? I'm so embarrassed, I don't want him to see my face, but standing so close does things to my insides that make me feel like I'm crushing on my first love in high school.
I can't feel this way. I know he's taken; it's pure physical attraction. Nothing else. It'll fade when I see him with his Disney Princess.
A cool breeze sweeps by me, distracting me. It's a foggy midafternoon, judging by the muted glow of the sun ball overhead. The sexual tension between us is too heavy, makes me nervous.
"I was supposed to get married in three days, so I had a . . ." Brazilian. He's not going to understand that and my face gets hotter. ". . . had all my hair taken off because I'd never done it and thought it seemed like a neat thing to try, since you're only supposed to get married once."
"Married. Bonding between man and woman?"
I nod.
"But you did not."
"No."
"Why?"
"Why do you want to know?" I say in irritation.
"You are my battle-witch. I should know."
"Fine. I disappointed him."
"Ah. He wanted a capable battle-witch."
Anger floods me at the implication I'm not good enough for Jason. "We don't have battle-witches!" I almost shout. Turning to face him, I lean back against the wall and glare up at him. "There's no war or magic or anything in my world! Can you get that through your head?"
He's too close. Feeling it is one thing. Seeing his impressive width and thickness is another. He appears unaware that he stands in my personal space or maybe he doesn't care. He rests his hips against mine once more, one hand on my hip, the other going to my collar. If I didn't know better, I'd think he was considering doing something stupid like kiss me.
It doesn't seem likely, given what he thinks about a battle-witch being pure. I can't stand it, though, being so close but not close enough, knowing there's an invisible woman and war between us even when our bodies touch.