She lifted her hand a little higher. He extended his, wrapping his fingers around hers. That heat was back between them, and she felt it rise to her face and manifest as color she hoped couldn’t be seen in the twilight around them.

Peter helped pull her up. When she was on her feet, he pulled her in closer, up against his chest. While she was in these boots, he stood only half a head taller than her. Other faeries chose flat boots to scoot around in, but she preferred the platform kind with thick buckle straps along the sides. She’d found and purchased these in a little shop in Sydney.

She craned her neck to meet his blue eyes. Even with the dim light around them, she could see how beautiful they were. He lowered his face toward hers, and she held her breath. Peter was about to kiss her. She just knew it. The anticipation pumped blood in and out of her heart in frantic motions. No, this wasn’t right. As much as she wanted to be with him, she couldn’t get involved until he knew the truth and had decided whether he’d still be interested in her or not.

It’s just a kiss, a little voice inside her head whispered. You’ve kissed for less reason than this before.

Miki lowered her face away from his a second before their lips touched. She closed her eyes, mourning the loss of what might’ve been. And what could be. After so many denials, Peter would probably walk away forever. She was sure of it.

“Miki, I don’t understand this game you’re playing.” He placed a hand beneath her chin and lifted it to face him. The hurt in his eyes shimmered as the traffic behind them switched on their headlights. Suddenly the noise of peak hour traffic on Parramatta Road pierced into her brain. It helped distract her from the pain that burned deep inside her heart. She hated unintentionally hurting him like this.

“I’m not playing any games, Peter. It’s just…”

“It’s just what?” His voice was no longer soft and comforting, it was demanding. The rigid set of his jaw only emphasized the change in mood. The fingers clutching beneath her chin tightened a little.

She winced, not from pain but from the reminder of the goblin’s hands around her neck. What was she going to do? How could she get out of this sticky situation without jeopardizing everything?

“It’s complicated,” she answered with a release of breath.

“Well, uncomplicate it for me.” His eyes widened in that handsome face of his. “I know you’re holding back for some reason, but I don’t know what. I think you’re scared.”

“Scared?”

“Yes, scared about how you feel when we’re together. Miki, you might be trying to convince yourself that you don’t want to be with me, but I know otherwise.” He paused to sigh, and his warm breath played along her face. “I know you want to be with me as much as I want to be with you.”

All she could do was nod. He’d captured her emotions and fears spot on, without the additional faerie baggage she carried around with her.

Her heart beat fast, but she felt calm and relaxed. He’d managed to soothe away all the distress the goblin stirred inside her. And although Adolf was still a problem she’d have to deal with sooner rather than later, Miki felt that now might be time to deal with the “Peter problem”.

“Come home with me, Miki.”

“I don’t think that’s a good—”

He shrugged. “So don’t think about it. Just say you’ll come home with me so we can sort things out. You’ve been stringing me along for too long. And there’s only so much a man in love can take before he reaches breaking point.” Peter pushed his chest closer against hers and whispered, “If I don’t have you soon, I don’t know what’s going to happen to me.”

Miki shivered at the words. In that one admission he’d spilled just how much he lusted for her as well as…loved her? He’d said a man in love. Was that just a figure of speech amongst the humans? She didn’t know, had never hung out with human men or women long enough to know nitty-gritty things like that. She knew many of their customs and way of life because she’d become almost obsessed with this civilization, but she’d never ventured this close to one. What would he do or say after he found out she wasn’t human?

“Well, are you coming with me or not? I promise not to try anything straight away.” He chuckled at her reaction. “I’m only kidding. But say you’re prepared to talk about this.”

“I’m prepared to talk about this,” she echoed with a nod. It might even be nice to stay under shelter for one night. Since she’d been in Sydney, this park had been her home. She slept beneath the trees or amongst the shrubs. With Adolf aware of her now, not staying here offered her more security.

“Good, let’s go. It’s only a ten minute walk to my place.” Peter stepped away from the intimacy he’d established and entwined his fingers around hers to lead the way.

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