too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian)

Lila's grip on Kieran's shirt tightened slightly.

Kieran straightened his back, his gaze dropping to her half-lowered eyes. "Can you trust me?" he asked.

"No matter what role the Morgans might have played in all of this, I'll ensure you get the truth. But until we figure everything out, can you try to be a little happier?"

Lila suddenly lifted her head, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Years of missing her parents, the frustration and pain she had bottled up after meeting Gordon today, all seemed to find an outlet in that single moment.

In the blink of an eye, her eyes reddened.

She didn't want to cry in front of Kieran.

"Uncle Kieran, I miss them," she said, her voice trembling as she quickly looked away.

But the moment the words left her lips, the tears came, spilling over and rolling silently down her cheeks.

She raised a hand to wipe them away, but Kieran was faster. He reached out, brushing the tears from her face.

"I know. Our Lila is a good, loving daughter. She misses her parents but doesn't want to upset the family, so she keeps all the pain to herself. I know everything you've been holding in.

"But from now on, can you try to trust me? With me, you can say whatever's on your mind. Laugh when you want to laugh. Cry when you need to cry. Just be yourself. Okay?"

The tears wouldn't stop. For the first time, Lila realized just how much she could cry.

"I don't want to..." She paused, her voice breaking. She doesn't want to cry so much.

"It's okay, Lila," Kieran murmured, lowering his head to press a light, comforting kiss near her ear.

Her back stiffened slightly, the streaks of tears still visible on her face.

"Uncle Kieran..." she murmured, taking a shaky breath as her emotions swirled in turmoil. Then, she asked, "Uncle Kieran, do you like me?"

Lila thought, "If there's even the slightest chance, then I'll be brave one more time."

She had been running away from things for far too long, but running away never solved anything.

If Kieran didn't feel anything for her, she'd step back, return to her original place, and give up the title of Mrs. Morgan.

Kieran lowered his gaze, studying her carefully. Then, after a moment of silence, he asked, "Mrs. Morgan, have I not made it obvious enough?"

Lila's pupils dilated in shock. Her lips parted as if to ask when it started.

But she stopped herself, realizing she was being greedy.

This much was already more than enough.

Kieran leaned down slightly, his hand finding hers, and his fingers laced gently through hers.

Without thinking, Lila stood on her tiptoes just as Kieran straightened up.

Her thoughts couldn't catch up to

her actions as her free hand reached for the slightly open collar of his

shirt pulling him down as she rose to meet him.

Her lips brushed against the corner of his, a kiss so light it was barely there-like

a dragonfly skimming the surface of a still pond.

The unexpected sweetness on his lips made Kieran, always so composed and in control, freeze for a moment.

Then a soft chuckle escaped his throat, low and amused. "Lila, if I return the favor, that wouldn't be asking too much, right?"

Before Lila could react, Kieran leaned in and kissed her. His touch was soft but lingering, warm and unhurried.

Caught

tried to guard, Lila instinctively hot back away, but Kieran hebet

in his arms. Her resistance

melted as her body softened against his.

His deep, teasing laughter rumbled softly in her ears, snapping her out of the moment. She pushed him away quickly. "I'm tired. I need to wash up."

Not daring to look back, she hurried to the wardrobe, grabbed a set of clothes, and bolted into the bathroom.

Standing under the shower, warm water cascading over her, Lila pressed her hands to her face in frustration.

What did she just do?

When she finally finished her

shower, moving at a snail's pacenetnoveldrama

she realized with a jolt that she'd completely forgotten to grab a towel or bathrobe in her earlier fluster.