Page 109 of Lust

And when I’m done, I pull close to him, and he reaches back, resting his hand against my face as we gasp and pant together, recovering from the much-needed release.

Finally, as I come back to my senses, I lean back. We lock gazes, and as I look into his eyes, I’m hypnotized.

He was right when he said there’s so much to consider. So many unknowns, and we don’t know where the hell all this is leading, but I know as long as I’m with him, that’s all that fucking matters.

EPILOGUE

LUKE

“This is reallygood turkey,” Brad’s mom, Cheryl, says after she finishes swallowing a bite. “You said you used an air fryer?”

“It’s the only way I’m willing to make it now,” Dan replies. “Keeps all the moisture in. Makes the meat nice and tender.”

“It definitely is that,” Cheryl says as she cuts into another piece.

Initially, Brad was planning to head home for Thanksgiving, but when his mom pushed about meeting his new boyfriend, we came up with a plan for her to fly into town to have Thanksgiving with Dan and us.

She’s everything I would have expected based on what Brad’s shared with me. Fun, playful. To our relief, her symptoms have been kept at bay since their previous visit, so we’re hopeful this time together over the holiday will serve as a booster, tiding her over until he can see her again sometime next semester.

From meeting her, I’d never have known how bad it’d gotten, had Brad not told me. Just like I wouldn’t have known about all the pain she endured at the hands of his asshole father.

And as assuring as her health and vibrant personality are, the way Cheryl’s taken to me since she arrived, it’s clear she wants to know everything about the guy her son’s told her about.

After everything we’ve been through together, I’m proud to be the one—something I’m reminded of every time he sneaks me a glance from beside me at the dinner table.

Or gently strokes my thigh.

Or licks his lips, as though thinking about how he wants to pull me away from his mom and Dan and give me a firm kiss.

It’s been a while since either of us has felt that agonizing pull of the Lust, but not kissing him through dinner is starting to remind me of what that felt like.

And I don’t like it.

Still, I’m appreciative of these little moments because they help distract me from the fact that something’s missing from this occasion. The people I love who I can never get back.

“Turkey’s great,” Alexei says, “but the mashed potatoes are where it’s at.”

Since it was going to cost him a small fortune to travel back and forth for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Alexei stayed at the dorms through Thanksgiving. Dan only lives a few hours from the university, so I suggested Alexei join us.

Despite the awkwardness that followed our interaction with the Slasher, things have gone back to normal. Well, as normal as they can be under the circumstances.

I’ve been training with the guys, and it’s apparent that the power I managed to access the night we fought the Slasher, I can’t access it anytime I want. At least not yet.

But I’ve caught up on schoolwork, made sure I keep my grades up. And there haven’t been any other emergencies of dealing with monsters, which really, what more could I ask for?

Even better, Brad and I have had more time for dates and fun. Enjoying life the way two college kids who’ve fallen for each other should.

After we finish the meal, we all pitch in to help Dan clean.

Alexei and I take on dish duty while Brad, Cheryl, and Dan chat in the living room.

“I’m glad I came,” Alexei says. “This was really nice. I appreciate your inviting me.”

“I’m glad you said yes. Dan loves entertaining, and compliments, so you were a perfect addition.”

As I hand him a plate to place in the dishwasher, I notice him eyeing me, and it catches me off guard. “What is it?”

He shakes his head. “Just thinking about that wild night.”

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