Yes.
Rowan opened himself up to her and she eased her senses inside of his. It was like sinking into an ocean and letting her body float inside a mirror-topped world that spread around her, unfathomably large and unspeakably beautiful once she dipped her face below the surface. She felt her hands on his chest in two-way, both touching and being touched. She traced his skin, following his need as her own. Learning him.
Enough, Lily.
Rowan stilled her hands and stepped back.
Are you serious?
“Yes,” he whispered through a laugh. “I don’t want to rush. I don’t want you to miss anything.”
“You made love to Lillian.” Her throat stung with the words.
Rowan was quiet for a moment before answering. “After a very long courtship.” He tilted her chin up so she had to look at him. “Trust me. It’s better this way.”
Rowan brought her back to her room. One kiss was all he would give her before leaving her to stare at the ceiling, alone, and more than a little baffled.
Lily?
She didn’t answer him. There was a knot in her throat, and she was scared that it was about to dissolve into silly tears.
Lily. I know you’re awake and I know you’re upset.
Wouldn’t you be, Rowan? Wouldn’t you be upset and confused if I wouldn’t give myself to you?
Yes, I would be. So dream with me instead.
Lily wiped at a few escaped tears and sniffed. What do you mean, dream with you?
We stay in rapport as we fall asleep. We share our dreams. Would you like to do that with me?
Yes.
I’ll show you the way.
CHAPTER
5
“This is completely healed,” Rowan said, inspecting the bottoms of Lily’s feet. “That means you can go back to school whenever. Tomorrow, even.”
“Good,” Samantha said. A hand fluttered up absentmindedly to her hair as she looked at Rowan and grimaced. “Dr. Rosenthal is getting a bit testy with me for putting it off. And that woman called again.”
“Simms? What did she say?” Lily asked, feeling a swell of protective anger.
“Oh, you know,” Samantha replied. “I’m just glad you’re going back tomorrow.”
Lily tried to smile at her mother, but couldn’t put her heart into it. She had gotten quite comfortable over the past week. Lillian had tried to reach out to her—usually when Lily was in a deep sleep and her spirit had strayed into the Mist. But on those rare occasions Lily had managed to quench her curiosity and push Lillian out of her mind. Lillian’s attempts to contact her had become increasingly urgent, but Lily was determined not to give in to her own curiosity, and so far she’d been successful despite the mounting anger and desperation she’d sensed coming from Lillian.
Now that she had a clear conscience, the last few days had been some of the best in Lily’s life. Every day she spent time with her mom, sister, and Rowan just relaxing and watching movies or reading books. Rowan was still struggling with culture shock and trying to learn as much of Lily’s world as possible. Their worlds were so different that there was a lot to teach him.