Page 121 of Gathered Sparkle

But it’s his lips that capture my attention. There’s a small scar that nicks his bottom lip, and all I can think about is kissing him.

“Maybe we can do a different lesson,” he murmurs. “One I already taught you eight years ago. But this time, I’m the one who needs a refresher.”

My gaze snaps up to meet his. “What?”

“Kiss me,” he demands quickly. “I mean, can I kiss you?”

“Yes,” I whisper, barely able to get the word out as he closes the distance between us.

At first, it’s hesitant, a soft press of his lips against mine, like the ones he’s given the past couple of days. But then he lingers, pressing into me more, and the heat of him seeps in as his lips start to move against mine. Butterflies erupt in my stomach, fluttering wildly as my hands find his chest for balance without thinking, but he doesn’t budge or flinch.

It’s the sweetest kiss, no tongue, no urgency, just lips and shared breaths. It feels like a promise of love whispered in the quiet moments between heartbeats.

All too soon, he pulls back, but the smile he gives me is everything. “I fucking missed you like crazy,” he admits on a breath. “I died that day, eight years ago, even if I kept breathing. You’ve made me come alive again.”

My throat tightens, words failing me as I try to tell him that I feel the same. That I’ve missed him with every piece of my soul. Then the sound of a loud engine tears through the moment, cutting us off.

We turn to see a monstrosity of a white van rolling through the gates. It’s big, boxy, and utterly out of place in front of the mansion. Behind the wheel, grinning like the devil himself, is Sylus.

“Of fucking course,” I mutter, unable to stop the laugh that escapes me while Ace lets out a low chuckle.

Sylus pulls the van to a stop, revs the engine obnoxiously one last time, and rolls down the window. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he calls out. “The getaway ride of your dreams has arrived!”

I look at Ace, who shakes his head with a rueful smile. “You ready to deal with him?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Not really.”

Sylus leans out of the driver’s side window, honking obnoxiously. “Come on, Sparkle! We’ve got shit to do!”

“Go.” I glance back at Ace, who’s watching with an amused smile, so I glide to the mansion steps, swapping my skates for shoes and grabbing my purse. Before I leave, I turn to him again and lean up for a kiss, a quick peck on the lips, the first time I’ve initiated one.

“See you later?” I ask, hoping he hears the promise in my voice.

“Later, Trouble.” His smile is like the sun breaking through clouds, and it’s hard to walk away, but I do.

I run up to Sylus, who waves at Ace with an exaggerated gesture. “We’ll be back soon!”

I hop into the passenger seat, slamming the door behind me. The scent of the van hits me immediately. It’s a mixture of stale coffee, cheap cologne, and something vaguely metallic.

Ew.

“What is this?” I ask, wrinkling my nose as I look around. “It smells bad in here.”

Before I can protest further, Sylus reaches over, his fingers wrapping around my throat in a firm grip. My breath catches as his mouth crashes onto mine. The kiss is messy, dizzying, and completelyhim—all heat and reckless energy. My fingers curlinto his jacket as he steals the air from my lungs, his grip holding me in place like he owns me.

Fuck.

Then, just as quickly, he lets go, his smirk lazy as he shifts back to the wheel, eyes on the road. “That, Sparkle baby,” he says, throwing the van into gear and pulling out of the gate. “Is part of the plan.”

As we merge onto the street, I realize I’m sitting in a car.

And I got in without hesitation.

Almost instantly, the nerves creep in, clawing their way up my chest. My breathing turns shallow, erratic.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

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