Page 103 of Ink & Stardust

“I fucked up. I know that. I didn’t react well when you told me how you felt, and I’m so fucking sorry for that, but I was scared. My whole fucking life, I’ve been afraid to let anyone in. So I distanced myself. Made it where I never got too close to someone. Built up walls that I thought were impenetrable until you knocked every single one of them down. I fell in love with you the first time I kissed you. I just refused to let myself believe it. The closer you got, the more I wanted. I lied to myself. Pretended like I had it all under control when in reality I was spiraling. And then you told me you loved me, and I couldn’t hide anymore. I panicked. Thought I could get over my feelings for you if I pushed you away. But all that did was make me want you more.”

“Kai... I...”

“Tell me I haven’t fucked this up. Tell me you still want this. That you still want me.” His voice is pleading now, chipping away at every single one of my defenses.

“I...” I want to say no. I want to hold onto my pride and anger like the lifeline that they are, but they slip right through my fingers just the same. “I still want you,” I finally admit, tears now blurring my vision as they streak down my cheeks freely. “How could I not?”

I feel like I’m in a dream. A dream I know I’m going to wake up from. A dream I’m desperate to hold onto for as long as sleep will let me.

“I love you.” He presses a kiss to my lips, and it feels like a defibrillator shocking my heart back to life.

“I love you.” I smile against his mouth, my arms finding their way around his neck seconds before my fingers find their favorite spot, tangling in the thick locks of his hair.

“Say it again.” His tongue slides against mine at the same time his arms slip around my waist, pulling my feet straight off the ground.

“I love you,” I say again. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”

“I’ve spent my entire life avoiding those words. Now, I never want to hear anything else for as long as I live.” Another deep swipe of his tongue along mine. “Now tell me, Converse, go back inside and find a quiet room or go back to my place. Either way, I’m going to be buried inside of you in the next ten minutes.”

My breath catches.

“Your place.”

“Are you sure? I mean, I’ve seen you sprawled out on top of a desk and it was quite possibly the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” he grumbles in that deep way of his that has every pore in my body firing to life. “I’m sure someone has a desk in their bedroom.”

“Yeah, but at your place, you can have me for as long as you want, any way you want, without any disruptions.”

He pulls back just enough that I can see the flicker of desire in his eyes.

“Say less.” He kisses me again, another slow, deep pass of his tongue before my feet find the ground again.

Unfortunately, they don’t stay there long as Kai tips, tossing me over his shoulder before I can even think to try to stop him.

“Kai.” I laugh, now staring at his back.

“You’re mine now, Converse. Really mine.” His voice vibrates through me seconds before his hand gently slaps my backside. “I hope you’re ready.”

“Ready for what?” I smile into the soft fabric of his shirt.

“All the things I’ve spent the last two weeks thinking about doing to you.”

My stomach pings.

God, I’ve missed this feeling.

“Last chance to change your mind,” he says as he slowly lowers me to my feet once we’re across the street, where I now see his car is parked against the curb. “Once you get in this car, there’s no going back.”

I reach behind him and tug on the handle, smiling when the door pops open.

“Are we going to stand here all day, or are you going to take me home and have your way with me already?” I bat my lashes at him as I squeeze past him, quickly climbing into the car.

“Fuck, I love you,” he murmurs under his breath before he closes the door, sealing me inside.

If this really is a dream, nobody pinch me because I never want to wake up. Let me sleep in peaceful bliss for the rest of my life. If I wake up and have slept my entire life away, it will have been worth it.

Chapter Nineteen

“Just five more minutes.” Kai nuzzles his face into the side of my neck, kissing the sensitive flesh beneath my ear.

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