The Paladin's Shadow (Radiance Book 2) by Tavia Lark

Author:Tavia Lark [Lark, Tavia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-11-14T16:00:00+00:00

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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

KARIS

Karis barely registers the dusty interior of the barn. As soon as they enter, his back slams against the wooden wall, and in front of him, Ronan overshadows the entire world. One broad hand slams flat on the wall beside his head, and the other gently cups his cheek. A bruising kiss steals away what little breath he has.

Adrenaline courses through him. He throws his arms around Ronan’s neck and drags him even closer.

His plan worked. He killed a vaidkos, channeling more Radiance than he’s ever dared. Outran a pack of Dravan soldiers on a stolen horse. And the sexiest man he’s ever met is kissing him senseless.

Yeah, I’m pretty fucking amazing.

The wall is rough through his shirt. The kiss deepens, tongues sliding together, teeth digging into his lip. Karis is happy to drift off in the dizzying haze, when Ronan’s hand drops from his cheek to his waist. Up under his shirt. The touch of fingertips against his bare skin forces his thoughts back into stark clarity.

Karis wants this. He really wants this. But he needs to know what this actually is.

With a muffled noise, he breaks the kiss and covers Ronan’s mouth with his fingers. “Wait.”

Ronan’s eyes shutter. When they open again, the hungry fire has vanished into perfect composure. The hand on Karis’s waist doesn’t move. “Too fast? Too much?”

“No.” Karis leans his head against the wall and stares up at the roof. There are gaps in the thatching, and light spills in to illuminate the clouds of dust. Like the world’s simplest church, and in the moment, Karis thinks it’s no less glorious than the Bright Cathedral itself. “It’s not too much, I just want to ask…”

He doesn’t want to ask. He wants the answer, but he resents having to ask for it. Pride surges up in his heart, threatening to block his throat. But Ronan waits silently, with patient dark eyes, until Karis overcomes his pride and asks anyway.

“Do you like me?” He takes a deep breath, trying to channel Ronan’s collected demeanor. “It’s fine if you don’t. We can still fuck if you don’t like me. I just want to know.”

Ronan doesn’t laugh or tease in response. He leans in to kiss the corner of Karis’s mouth, then leans in closer until his lips brush the shell of Karis’s ear. His beard scrapes Karis’s cheek. Their bodies press together with undeniable heat, and Ronan’s answer is smooth as molten gold: “I like you.” His thumb paints a burning circle against Karis’s waist. “I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t.”

“Oh,” Karis breathes. “That’s good.”

The last word is lost in the heat of another kiss. Hey, Vara? Karis thinks, before he loses his mind entirely. Don’t watch this.

Amusement flashes through his head. Vara’s typical fond condescension. Trust me, I wasn’t planning on it.

Karis has never gone this far before. His prior experience was just kissing a few other boys in Andell, the ones who didn’t mind their parents’ gossip about the crazy kid down the street.

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