Page 115 of Play It Sinful

“I really think Ash should show you the way.” Zoey gives Sean a meaningful look, and it makes me curious.

Now I have to see what that’s all about. “Oh, fine. Follow me.”

“You can just point out which door is yours,” he says once we’re in the hallway. “You don’t need to come in.”

“Oh, I’m coming in. What should I expect when I walk into my room?”

“I have no idea.”

I give him an incredulous look.

“I swear I don’t. If there are more surprises, I’m in the dark too.”

The door is closed, but I don’t hesitate to push it open. The last time I was here, Brian had all the condoms spread on the bed after he’d finished messing with them. I’m glad to see they’re gone. My roommates must have gotten rid of them. I know it’sbeen only a couple of weeks, but it feels like that happened years ago.

“Where should I put this?” Sean asks.

“On my desk. Thank you.”

Feeling tired suddenly, I sit on the edge of the bed and, taking advantage of Sean having his back to me, I study him. I shouldn’t be surprised when the yearning hits me square in the chest. I let anger consume me earlier, and my other emotions took a back seat. I was confused and couldn’t tell Sean whether I still loved him or not. Now, it’s all I can feel.

When he turns around, he’s holding a flip-able picture frame in his hand. “Where did you get this?”

I narrow my eyes. “I’ve never seen that before.”

He walks over and shows me the frame. The picture on display is a candid photo of us together at my first art show gallery. “I’ve never seen this photo of us before. Who took it?”

“I don’t know. Maybe Darren?”

I flip to the second picture, and it’s another candid of us at the party in Sean’s dorm. We’re standing together in the soapy hallway. Sean is holding me. “This one was taken right after you helped me back onto my feet.”

Sean sits next to me, and now, all I can think about is our proximity and how hot the room is. He’s the one who flips to the next picture. It’s yet another picture of us, taken when we weren’t looking at the camera. In this one, I’m laughing at something Gia said, and Sean is watching me wistfully. This was taken after we were broken up.

“We’ve been parent-trapped,” Sean mutters.

A sob gets lodged in my throat, and my vision goes blurry. I cover my mouth with my hand, trying to stop the ugly crying that’s coming.

“Ash?” he asks softly.

I look at him and allow his blue eyes to reel me in. “I never stopped loving you either.”

“Come here.” His fingers are suddenly in my hair and his lips crush mine.

His kiss is everything that I remember, and yet, so much more. It’s urgent, and hungry. It’s like we’re trying to erase three years of heartache in one single stroke, one shared breath.

He pulls back, pressing his forehead against mine. “I love you so fucking much, Ash. I can’t believe I almost lost you.”

“I love you too.”

He captures my lips again. The hunger is still present, but his touch is tender, careful. I know that he’s holding back on the account of my injuries. I wish I wasn’t hurt and that I didn’t have a houseful of guests.

Regrettably, I pull back. “We should return to the party.”

“I know, but since your friends are most likely responsible for this, I think they can entertain the crowd for a little longer.”

“True. Then kiss me some more.”

SEAN

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