Page 113 of Fractured Rhythm

“I believe you and I love you, Bash. And we are going to talk about it. Jamie. The drinking. Everything.”

“Absolutely. We need to be honest with each other. Bottling things up got us both here but we’re a work in progress.”

“So now what?” she asked.

“Now we seal our deal with a kiss,” I said, leaning closer.

Her laugh washed over me, warming me to the tips of my toes. I wouldn’t think about all the years we’d missed because of my attempt to do the right thing. Or how I’d almost destroyed it for a second time.

I pulled her into my lap, and she linked her hands at the back of my neck, settling her body into mine. It’d been way too long since I’d held her like this.

“You in?” I asked.

“Absolutely,” she said, before she lifted her face to mine.

I kissed her with everything I had until we were both panting with need. I’d missed her—this—so much it hurt.

I broke the kiss. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk about anything else?” I cursed and called myself an idiot even as the words tumbled out. My chuckle was harsh when she looked at me like I was crazy.

We’d already established that I was.

“We can talk later. It’s been too long, and we have a lot of time to make up for. Oh, and thanks for the presents. Those macarons were amazing,” she said before she leaned back in and kissed me.

“The macarons. That was your favorite part?” I asked against her mouth.

“I mean, the journal was a nice touch, but those perfect pistachio macarons.” She smacked her lips together. “So good. Did you try one?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “I guess food isn’t the way to just a man’s heart.”

“I mean, as long as you’re not cooking it, food is definitely the way to my heart.”

“Not nice, Cas,” I said spinning us so she was flat on the couch. I brushed my hand lightly down her side to the spot right above her hip, and she squirmed. She’d always been ticklish there.

“Now, who’s the mean one?” she said between giggles.

“I love you, Cassie,” I whispered against her lips.

“I love you, Sebastian,” she replied before she kissed me again.

The warmth that spread through me had nothing to do with her willing body beneath me and everything to do with her words and, hopefully, her trust in me.

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