Page 273 of Black Reign

Real.

I touch his face.

That feels almost more intimate than kissing him.

The shadow along his jaw is rough beneath my fingertips.

He stills completely.

I trace it.

His cheek.

The edge of his mouth.

“You're real,” I whisper.

“So are you.”

“Debatable.”

His lips touch the pad of my thumb.

My pulse jumps.

I leave it there.

His eyes never leave mine.

Then he turns his head and presses a kiss into my palm.

My entire body goes soft.

That.

Not the heated kiss before.

That almost undoes me.

I lean forward.

His forehead meets mine.

“Do you think we would have liked each other if we'd met normally?”

“No.”

I pull back.

“No?”

“You would've hated me.”

“I already did.”

“Exactly.”

“And you?”