The kiss

As Austin stood there, deep in thought, trying to process everything happening around him, he barely noticed Xender moving closer until it was too late.

Xender’s hand slipped gently but firmly to the back of Austin’s head, tilting it upward, ensuring there was no escape. Austin’s breath caught in his throat as he looked into Xender’s eyes—those piercing golden eyes full of dark intent.

Before Austin could react, Xender leaned down and pressed his lips against his. The kiss was sudden and forceful, deep and consuming. Austin’s mind raced, his body tensed, but Xender’s hand behind his head held him in place, preventing him from pulling away.

Xender's lips moved against his, expertly drawing him into the kiss as if they were two forces colliding. Austin’s heart hammered in his chest, the sudden rush of emotions overwhelming him. He didn’t know whether to fight back or surrender. It was everything he’d feared and desired at once.

When Xender finally pulled away, Austin’s lips tingled, his senses reeling from the intensity. A thin string of saliva connected their mouths, a tangible reminder of the kiss, before it slowly broke as Xender straightened up.

Austin was breathless, his mind spinning as he tried to make sense of the rush of feelings coursing through him.

Xender smirked, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Now, that’s a kiss to remember.”

Austin stood frozen, barely able to respond, his lips still swollen from the kiss. His heart raced—not from fear, but from something else, something he wasn’t sure he was ready to acknowledge.

As Austin stood there, still reeling from the kiss, a sudden realization hit him. The kiss. The way Xender’s lips had claimed his so forcefully—it wasn’t part of the story. He had read The Crimson Vow, and in that version, there was no kiss. No stolen moment of passion between Seraphina and Romeo—or in this case, Xender.

Austin’s breath caught in his throat as he pulled away slightly, his mind racing. He glanced at Xender, who stood there with that self-assured smirk, still holding the same commanding presence he had since the moment they’d met.

This wasn’t supposed to happen, Austin thought, his heart hammering. The original tale didn’t have a kiss between Seraphina and Romeo. That had been added, and it was so unexpected, so out of place, that Austin couldn't help but feel a growing sense of dread.

“Why did you kiss me?” Austin finally managed to ask, his voice shaky but full of the confusion and unease bubbling up inside him.

Xender only tilted his head, his smile never wavering. “Maybe because I wanted to,” he said simply, his tone almost playful, as if the answer should be obvious.

Austin stood frozen, unable to shake the feeling that everything—everything—was spiraling further from what he thought he knew.

To be continued

Hi guys am just here to say have a great day

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***