Page 87 of Sin

And maybe he needs it too.

Ethan takes slow steps in my direction. “My performance is the reason we won tonight. I made a nearly impossible catch in the fourth. That’s not a brag. The replay is all over the news right now. I’ve been sent a million videos since the game ended.” He smiles faintly. “I’m probably going to get drafted.”

My heart soars. “Ethan, that’s wonderful. Amazing.”

He shrugs. “I guess it should be, but I just can’t bring myself to give a shit.” His dark-blue eyes lock onto mine. “What does any of it matter if I don’t have you?”

My heart swells like a flower blooming under the sun as he reaches out and grabs my chin. “I know I fucked up. I never should have punched Mason. I see that now. And I sure as hell shouldn’t have stuck to my guns after I did it, but…” He licks his lips. “I’m willing to change, Lily. My strict principles are worthless if I’m miserable. And I’m miserable without you. Nothing matters. Not football. Not even God. You’ve become…” His voice cracks. “You’ve become everything to me.

My vision blurs, and I blink. My heart is about to burst.

I swallow. “You really mean it?”

“Yes,” he says immediately, and the world around me sparkles with electricity.

“But…is that okay? I don’t want you to feel like you’re giving up who you are for me.”

His lips quiver as he smiles. “I’m not giving up anything. I’m finding a new way, and God wouldn’t make me give up the only joy I’ve ever known.”

I blink away the tears filling my eyes. “And what is that?” My voice is breathless.”

His throat moves unsteadily. “You. You’re my love, Lily.” His voice wobbles. “My true love.”

I nod jerkily. “And you’re mine.”

His eyes grow huge. “Really?” he nearly shouts. He yanks me into his arms. His hands cradle my face, his thumbs brushing away my tears. He leans in slowly, his breath warm against my lips. The world fades away as he captures my mouth in a deep, passionate kiss. His lips are soft but demanding, moving against mine with a desperate urgency. I melt into him, my hands clutching his shirt as if letting go would mean losing him forever.

Applause erupts around us, pulling me into the present world. We pull apart, breathless and laughing. Ethan’s forehead rests against mine, a smile spreading across his face. “You could have offered to take me into your bedroom so we didn’t have an audience.”

I shoot him a saucy smile. “I could have, but then my girls would have missed the show.” I pinch his cheek. “Plus, you know how much I enjoy torturing you.”

He narrows his eyes. “Sassy girl.”

“Get used to it, big guy. This is only the beginning.”

Epilogue

Lily

Ethan is nibbling on my neck, his hand grazing over my chest, cupping my breast with gentle possession. A tired groan escapes my chest. “I can’t,” I whimper. “I’m too tired.”

“Sorry, love,” he whispers into the dark of my bedroom. The mattress shifts as he pulls away. “I’ll stop, I promise.” There’s a pause, and his breath is hot against my ear. “Just one last kiss?”

My heart grows light as air. How did my life change so much in the span of a month? Just last week, Mason was finally held accountable. First, he was kicked off the Hawks, and yesterday, the full truth finally came out to the whole campus. My interview about the rape was published in the campus newspaper.

The very evening it was released, a girl DMed me. She didn’t say much, but she told me she had her own story about Mason to share. She asked me to meet with her and said she thought I was the only person in the world who could understand.

My heart swelled with a mixture of relief and sorrow. If only I had shared my story sooner. But at least I did. I finally let go of my longing for the old Lily so that I could become a version of her who’s resilient.

And now here I am. Ready to drift off to sleep in the bedroom that once filled me with restless dread. The only thing left to do is turnaround my grades, but it no longer feels so daunting. Resilient Lily can take on any obstacle, all because of this wonderful man who taught her that pain can’t be run from. It only leads to more pain.

“Okay, one more kiss,” I whisper.

In a flash, he’s on top of me again. His kiss starts slow and soft, but then it grows more passionate. Hungry.

His hips grind against mine. The touch of his thumb against my nipple sends a jolt through me, and I’m pulled out of my dreamy haze.

When his hand slips between my legs, I giggle. “This definitely escalated beyond a simple goodnight kiss.”

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