A Man of Honor (A Young Adult Paranormal Romance) (The Honor Trilogy) by J.P. Grider Read Free Book Online Page B

smiles.
    “Really.”
    “Like,” she tugs on her bottom lip with her teeth, “is it just with Tamlin or like…everybody?”
    “Um, you volunteering to test it out?” I raise my eyebrows, really hoping that is exactly what she’s suggesting.
    She denies it with the click of her tongue and the shake of her head.
    I take a step toward her.
    “I’m not volunteering…uh…is your hair darker?”
    Another step closer, and my eyes are only focused on her mouth as she curls her bottom lip inside it. “Probably…’cause I’m not an empath anymore, there’s nothing to drain me of my color.” Taking another step forward, I think, wow, that explains my sudden tan. “Hey, you’re changing the subject.”
    Honor rolls her violet eyes. I’m now close enough to touch her.
    I do.
    Picking her hands up off her lap, I lift her from her seat. Her soft hands inside mine tease me. While she unknowingly seduces me with the tender touch of her hands, I move to slide my right hand up her arm.
    “Am I hurting you?” I ask, staring directly into her eyes.
    She takes a swallow and moves her head back and forth.
    My eyes linger on hers for a few very intense moments before both my hands are cupped just behind her ears.
    “Anything?” I purr, unable to speak in my normal voice, due to my breathlessness.
    Her breathing picks up and she shakes her head, almost imperceptibly.
    I move my gaze to her parted lips, tempted to taste her. When her tongue darts out to skim the edges of her two front teeth, I lose all restraint. With a gentle tug of her head, and a trepid hand, I pull her lips to mine. Tiny tremors race through my veins when our tongues meet. Her hands wrap snugly around my waist, and I tangle her silken hair in my hands. A guttural groan escapes me, and I want to pull her inside of me. I want her to become part of me. I want to become part of her.
    Her tongue, still dancing with mine, assures me I am not hurting her. Not draining her of life. I know now with complete certainty that I am not the murdering empath I once was. Honor has cured me of that. For the first time in my life, I can love someone physically…and possibly be loved in return.
    Too bad it cannot be Honor.

Chapter Eleven
     
    In a mutual burst of verity, Honor and I separate.
    “Oh my god,” she breathes, plopping back down in her chair.
    “I didn’t hurt you did I?” I ask, wondering, even though I know it was the reality of kissing her boyfriend’s brother that has her flustered.
    She drops her face into her hands. “No. You didn’t hurt me,” she says, her words muffled by her hand-covered mouth.
    Sitting on the edge of her bed, I touch my hand to her arm. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
    Honor doesn’t move.
    I stand from the bed and glide my hand down the length of her golden hair. “I won’t do that again. You have my word.” I kiss the back of her bowed head and walk away, sensing she needs to be alone.
    In the empty elevator down the hall, I ban g the back of my head against the wall and curse myself. Now I’ve risked her friendship. For what? A minute in her arms? Sixty seconds kissing the sweetest girl in the whole world? Though it was the best sixty seconds of my twenty-two years, it was not worth ruining our friendship and possibly never speaking to her again.
    Though the elevator door opens on the lobby level, I press the button back up to Honor’s floor. Walking away now, I fear, will only sever the friendship further. It must be resolved before this gets worse. My breath hitches and my stomach clenches, but plodding forward anyway, I reach Honor’s room in slow motion.
    Her back is to me when I get there. She’s staring out the window. The way the blond hair floats down her back and reaches her ass causes a falter in my step. Grabbing the door jamb helps me compose myself before walking in.
    “Honor,” I start, clearing my throat before continuing.
    She takes hold of the chair’s back when she stumbles