Page 54 of Cat’s Guide To Romance

Right. Probably shouldn’t continue explaining.

I lower my hand. “The Guide said⁠—”

“Lucien!” Sparkle throws both hands into the air, and I bite my lips together before I make this worse. His tail’s still enormous behind him, making him look twice his normal size. “I was kissing you.”

“I know.”

“I was enjoying kissing you.” He points between us as if I might have forgotten what we were doing ten seconds ago. “And you decided the best thing to do while I was kissing you was make the fucking ceiling explode?”

“They were illusions.”

Sparkle’s eyes somehow get even wider. “That is not helping!”

His tail twitches behind him, still so unbelievably fluffy that my attention drops to it before I can stop myself. I try very hard not to think about how adorable he looks and fail.

Sparkle catches me staring and immediately grabs his tail with both hands, attempting to smooth the fur down. “Don’t you dare.”

“I didn’t say anything.” I drag my attention back to his face and try to look appropriately remorseful.

“Your face did.”

“I’m sorry.” The laughter disappears from my voice because I really did scare him, even if he looks fucking adorable when he’s pissed at me. I step closer, then stop before touching him. “I really am. I got excited.”

“Excited?” Sparkle repeats. His ears slowly lift, though he keeps a protective hold on his tail.

“The kiss was going so well, and then I remembered your Guide said you wanted fireworks and cannon fire.” I gesture helplessly toward the ceiling. “I have magic. It seemed like an excellent opportunity.”

Sparkle stares at me. I stare back. His lips twitch. He covers his mouth, but a snort escapes anyway. His shoulders start shaking as he tries to hold it in, and then the fight leaves him completely. Sparkle folds forward laughing, one hand landing against my chest to keep himself upright.

“You...” He sucks in a breath that does absolutely nothing to stop his laughter. “You ridiculous demon.”

Relief pours through me. I catch his waist when he wobbles and pull him a little closer. “I prefer romantic visionary.”

“You nearly gave me a heart attack!” Sparkle smacks my chest, but there’s no force behind it.

“But did your toes curl?”

He snorts again. I grab his hand and hold it against my chest. His laughter settles into little huffs. His tail slowly deflates behind him.

I carefully slide my other arm around his waist. Sparkle eyes me suspiciously before his gaze drops to my mouth. His fingers loosen against mine, then slide up my chest until his arms curl around my neck.

“Can we try that one more time?”

My heart damn near stops. “Please.”

Sparkle rises onto his toes again, but this time when his lips meet mine, I keep my magic locked down tight. I hold his waist and let him decide how close he wants to be. Apparently the answer is very because he presses himself against me and kisses me harder than before.

His purr starts again. I fucking love that sound. It vibrates between us as I cup his cheek and slowly deepen the kiss. This time I don’t try to make it anything other than what it is. And the kiss is still fucking spectacular.

When we finally separate, Sparkle stays against me, his eyes half closed while his tail curls lazily around my leg. I brush my thumb over his warm cheek.

Sparkle’s eyes stay closed for a moment. When they open, they’re unfocused.

“That was nice,” he whispers.

“Nice?” I scoff.

His lips twitch. “Very nice.”