His words bring tears to my eyes, but I don’t breed them enough to trail down my cheeks. So I smile to fight the tears back.

“I love you too, Zeath,” I croak out.

Zeath leans his head down to kiss me. At first, I thought he merely wanted to peck me, but he had other plans, as he lets the kiss stick, prying my lips open with his tongue to slide the latter into my mouth.

I shiver, more from the thrill of his surprise than the cool evening air, closing my eyes as I feel him tuck a stray ...