Page 35 of Poison's Promise

The kiss is fierce, desperate, a collision of past and present.

It’s a reminder of everything we’ve lost and everything we still have. And in that moment, nothing else matters.

“God, I missed you,” Asher breathes against my lips, his hands tangling in my hair.

“Shut up,” I whisper again, pulling him closer. “Just shut up and kiss me.”

“Gladly,” he growls, and then we’re lost in each other once more.

The conversation flows easily between us, each story and memory bringing us closer.

The hours pass in a blur of laughter and shared looks, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I can breathe.

“Babe,” he says suddenly, catching me off guard.

I look up to meet his eyes. They’re filled with something I can’t quite read—something intense and raw.

“Yeah?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Thanks for giving me another chance,” he says, reaching across the table to take my hand.

“Don’t make me regret it,” I reply, squeezing his hand lightly.

“Never,” he promises, and for the first time, I believe him.

“Come on,” he says, standing up and pulling me with him. “Let’s dance.”

“Here?” I ask, looking around at the nearly empty bar.

“Why not?” he says, leading me to the open space near the jukebox. “No one’s watching.”

“All right,” I say, letting him pull me close.

His hands rest on my hips, and I wrap my arms around his neck.

The music changes to a slow, soulful tune, and we sway together, lost in the moment.

“Feels like old times,” I whisper, resting my head against his chest.

“Better than old times,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

For now, everything else fades away—the past, the hurt, the uncertainty.

All that matters is this moment, and for once, I’m content to just be.

“God,” he murmurs lightly, lifting my chin so I have to look at him. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” I admit, the words tasting bittersweet on my tongue.

“Let’s not waste any more time,” he says, leaning in until our lips are just a breath apart.

“Agreed,” I say, closing the distance.

This is a new beginning, one we’ve both been longing for.

As we stand here, wrapped up in each other, I have so much confidence that this time we’re going to get it right.

After we’re done dancing we head back over to the booth.

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