Page 107 of My Summer Girl

“But you’ve been calling me that for nearly two decades,” I argue, my eyes flitting back and forth between his.

He nods twice. “Yeah, it’s something I’ve known early on, and it hasn’t changed.” Standing, he uses his shirt to wipe the excess release from his nose and jaw. “We’ll talk again. Just give me time to speak with Abuelita.”

His eyes soften, making him appear so sincere. I don’t step away as his big palms cup my shoulders before sliding to my jaw. He brings our faces together, and the scent of me all over him pleases a hedonistic part of me that I don’t often give into.

Our lips meet, and this one is different from the last ones. It’s possessive and promising. We will talk and this will be our new journey.

“I’ve always had feelings for you,” I say, my admission ripping from my chest. He pulls back, his eyes twinkling.

“I know.”

“I was scared.”

“I know.”

“I don’t want to be scared anymore,” I whisper, barely containing my emotions. He eyes me, leaning forward and dropping the most touching kiss to my forehead. He inhales while his plush lips simply press against my skin.

“You never have to be scared again, V. I always have been and always will be here for you.” He runs a hand through the underneath of my crown of hair, cupping my head. “I’ll love you until you believe it to be true. I’ll cover my skin in ink of your name if that’s the reassurance you need. I’ll fall to my knees and crawl to you in front of every creature in this kingdom if you wish that of me.” Gripping my hair, pulling tightly and forcing my gaze and jaw upward, he nips at my lips.

“I’ll love you endlessly, until my breaths cease to exist. No one in this realm or the next will take you from me. I might’ve been scared, unsure, and a little skittish before. Meeting Dulce, having her, and knowing she was certain she wanted you and me both only solidified what I’ve always known...” He brushes his lips against my throat, trailing them up my neck until he reaches my ear. “That you have, and always will be mine.”

“Raev,” I cry, my emotions hitting me square in the chest. “What if she—”

He stops my words from forming with a blindsiding kiss, his tongue scorches me as he controls the movements, making me melt into him, giving up that control I always hold hostage. He’s always been safe. Out of everyone in this realm, trusting him is as easy as breathing.

“She wants you. She was headed this way before Vex interrupted her journey.” The teasing way he says this makes me believe it’s an amusing tale. “She wants you and me and us.”

His words are starting to click, resonating. Can a creature so beautiful exist? One who wants all of us and also wants us to want each other?

“This will work and we’ll be happy,” he reassures, kissing my cheeks before letting me go. “Go see her. Stop avoiding meeting the love of your life.”

I let out a little huff of a laugh, wanting to cry. “She’s mine?”

“She is. She was made for you. Now go get your princess. She’s an impatient little thing.”

We both laugh at that, and for the first time in a long time, I feel free. To enjoy life, be the queen, have a happy ending, and change everything.

“Go,” I shoo, knowing what I need to do.

He waves and rushes toward his abuelita’s cottage. Rosa is going to have a whole laugh at our expense. For years, she swore that he and I’d marry one another.

That old bat was right.

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