Page 32 of Loaded Laces

I should have just let this go.

“As far as I’m concerned,” I say, “it was a line that needed to be crossed. Yeah, it made me mad,” I add over her protest. “But without it, we’d still be apart. Now I get you and Quinn, and a life that’s not lonely.”

Her face softens, and she reaches up, touches my cheek. “I still shouldn’t have asked it.”

I draw her closer, run my hand up and down her back, and open my mouth.

But I don’t get out any further reassurances.

Because her next words steal them away.

“But I made myself do it because I had to know that you were still you.”

Everything in me stills.

Then…I get it.

And I love her even more for it.

“You being mad about it,” she says hurriedly, “furious and hurt and upset…I knew that the West I knew ten years ago was still in there. I knew that I could trust you and?—”

“Shut up.”

She blinks, a thread of hurt weaving into her eyes. “Excuseme?”

“You can’t be sweet,” I mock grumble, tugging her on top of me, “and not expect me to react.”

Her brow furrows.

“You can’t be sweet and not expect me to kiss you.”

The lines smooth out.

Then she smiles.

“Well then”—she trails a hand down my chest—“why don’t you get on that?”

“I love you,” I murmur, brushing my lips over hers. “I love you more for asking that, for understanding my reaction.” I give her a long, drugging kiss. “But I love you most of all for giving me you.”

“I—”

I take her mouth.

And then I takeher.

And I do it knowing that neither of us is ever going to let go.

Not ever again.

Hudson

I’m fucked,I realize as I stare up at the tiny spitfire of a woman.

Who’s lecturing me.

In a lilting voice that I can’t help but get lost in the melody of.

“…and I really need you to take some time to focus on this new system,” she’s saying, gesturing at an iPad. “I know it’s new and it’s tough to make these changes, but this will make it much easier for us to mobilize your speed and strength.”

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