Page 88 of Glamour & Gumballs

“Think out loud, then.” His grip on my hips was possessive.

Determined, too.

He wasn’t letting me go until he was satisfied with my response. And as much as I didn’t want to talk to him, I respected that.

Grudgingly.

“Or we could just…” I trailed off, going up on my tiptoes so I could kiss him.

He kissed me back, walking me two steps backward until he had me pinned to the wall.

Then, he ended the kiss. “I want to know what you’re thinking, Chaos.”

I sighed, leaning back against the tile wall and shutting my eyes.

He waited.

“I’m thinking that a lot of things are going to change, and that’s terrifying,” I said, my voice quiet. “I’m thinking that I have no idea what our life together is going to look like. I’m thinking that we should date for another year or two before we seal the bond, but you’re not going to be okay with it. I’m thinking that this marriage shit is really big, and really permanent.”

He didn’t answer right away.

I squeezed my eyes shut a little tighter.

“I’d give you more time if I could, Chaos,” Rhett finally said, his voice quiet but genuine. “I just don’t have time to give.”

My stomach clenched.

My entire body clenched.

He was dying. I’d forgotten he was dying.

“Things are going to change for both of us,” he said. “But we’re going to change together. Yes, it’ll be harder for you, since you’re growing wings, but we’ll adapt together. Grow together. Figure shit out together.”

I let out a shaky breath. “I barely recognize myself after all the rain and starvation. I’m weaker, now. I looked vulnerable.”

“Being vulnerable takes a hell of a lot more courage than any amount of coldness,” Rhett said bluntly. “It’s easy to push people away. It’s hard to let them in. Physically, you’re weaker now, but mentally? Emotionally? You survived, and you came out stronger for it.”

“I don’t know if that’s true.”

Rhett captured my face in his hands and tilted it back until our eyes met. “I know it’s true. Trust me.”

I did.

I trusted him.

As insane as that was.

I finally dipped my head in a small nod, and he kissed me.

His mouth was soft, but the kiss wasn’t slow or gentle.

It was rough.

Fierce.

Delicious.

I hooked a leg around his hip, and Rhett’s chest rumbled against mine. One of his hands found my ass, lifting me higher and changing the angle a bit.

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