Chapter 41

Calder's thumb dances across my cheek. He leans in, his breath stirring my hair, but for a long moment he doesn't speak.

As the silence stretches between us, I pull back slightly so I can look him in the eyes. His dark irises hold a world of emotion, and though the desire is still there, there's something deeper too. Something infinitely more meaningful.

"The prize I ask," he says, "is that you be completely honest with me."

I frown as confusion and hurt battle within me. "You... you think I'm not honest with you?"

He shakes his head quickly - vehemently - but it's not enough to quiet the emotions that have suddenly flickered to life in my gut.

"That's not what I meant," he says. "I'm going to ask you a question, and I'd like for you to answer it as honestly as possible."

Our conversation's sudden shift in tone makes me nervous, but I nod. I want to know what's going on in his head.

Calder reaches over and takes a lock of my hair in his hand. He twirls it slowly between his fing