Page 143 of The Forever Play

“It won’t happen to her.” Sienna shifts in her seat, leaning over the handbrake and practically sitting on my lap. “Zander, listen to me.” She holds either side of me face, her eyes bright with conviction. “You won’t let anything like that happen to her.”

“But it could. So easily. Those girls…thatgirl. She’s someone’s daughter.”

“And I bet her father is really grateful for you.”

Her words stop me short. I gaze back at her beautiful face and can’t breathe.

“You saved his daughter. And you’ll keep your own safe.” Her smile is watery as she brushes her thumbs across my cheeks, wiping my tears away. “You’re a good father, Zander. And I’m sorry that I denied you the firstfew years of her life. I’m sorry I didn’t try harder to let you know.”

And now her voice is wobbling, tears lining her lashes.

We can’t both be crying. My heart’s completely slain already. This will end me.

“Don’t cry,” I whisper, practically begging her. “I forgive you, okay? I get it. After what you saw me doing… I… get it.”

“I’m sorry,” she mouths, and I shake my head again.

“You don’t have to be sorry. I’m the one who’s sorry. I gave you the best reason to walk away, and I’ll regret that forever.”

“Please don’t,” she whispers. “You’re here now.”

“And I’m not leaving you again,” I promise. “I really want to be the best dad I can for Zoey. The best man I can for you. I just wish I hadn’t…” I let out a shaky sigh. “I want to change the past so bad. If I hadn’t left you… If we’d just stayed together…”

Her sniff is delicate as she nods and sucks in a shaky breath. “We can’t change any of that. All we can do is take what we have now and do the best we can with it.” Lifting her leg, she straddles me.

I push the chair back as far as it will go, settling her on my lap and running my hand up to her neck. I need to touch her soft skin, feel her closeness.

“Let’s make a deal.” She licks her lips, and I nod, willing to agree to anything. “I’ll stop running away every time I get hurt or scared. I’ll stay. I’ll talk it through. I’ll answer your calls.”

I smile at her.

“But you have to promise that you’ll be honest withme.Everytime. No matter how shitty the truth is. You have to talk to me, Zander. Let me in.”

“I will,” I croak, cupping the back of her head and looking her right in the eye. “I love you, and I promise I won’t hold back anymore.”

Her eyes glisten as she smiles. “And I won’t run. I’ll stay. Forever.”

CHAPTER 54

SIENNA

Forever.

The word resonates in my head as I fist his shirt and drag him toward me. Our lips connect with perfect pressure—a melding of souls, a promise of the years to come. My heart starts to flutter like a bird released from its cage, and all I can think right now is…

“I want you,” I murmur against his lips.

He pauses, his breath skimming my cheek as he looks into my eyes. “You want me? Like…”

“Yes.” I nod. “I really need you right now.”

“Right now?”

I nod, struggling to explain how vitally important this connection is to me. I need him inside me. I want our bodies bonded together in the closest way possible, and it has to be right fucking now.

Desperation surges through me as I wrap my arms around his neck, squishing our bodies together while heat pumps through me in needy waves that are making me lightheaded.

“Sparks,” he whispers against my skin, his arms looping behind my back, his fingers wriggling under my clothes and tracing patterns on my bare skin.

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