#Chapter 39: Companionship

Iris Arthur’s arms are warm and comforting around my body. He holds me with such ease, the curve of my waist fitting perfectly against his chest. For a moment, we just stare at each other, and he doesn’t put me down right away. To say that I feel attraction to Arthur right now would be an understatement. As those green eyes look down at me, it feels like fireworks are lighting up beneath my skin, hot flares and sparks fizzling behind my chest. “Arthur…” I mutter his name without even thinking, my fingers delicately digging into his shoulders. His arms tighten around me, pulling me ever so slightly closer. Our noses almost brush just from how close we are. I think he might kiss me. Or I might kiss him; I’m not sure which, but right now, it doesn’t matter. All I know is that I want this, maybe more than anything. I want to taste his lips on mine, feel the tender exploration of his tongue into my mouth. Hell, I want more than that. I want— “Mommy? What