Page 57 of Bossy Hero

My feet lurch me to an abrupt stop, and I take a moment to fortify my resolve before turning around. I’m trying my fucking best to leave on terms that’ll allow me to look at myself in the mirror tomorrow.

But she’s fucking killing me.

When I face her, she’s running. Fucking running.

To me.

She freezes a foot in front of me, giving me a chance to look fully into her eyes. A hint of panic bleeding into desperation shines behind her irises. A little deeper beneath that is the grizzly.

“Ma’am, you can’t park there,” a male voice hollers from somewhere to my right.

I flip him off without breaking eye contact with Maddie.

Her mouth quirks into a tentative smile. “Just one more thing before you go.”

“Anything.”

She inhales briskly, closes the distance between us in a rush, and yanks my face down to hers.

My bag drops to the ground with a thud, and I fold her body against mine.

I might have also dropped the banana bread.

Tragic but still worth it.

Despite the momentary shock, I waste no time taking control of the kiss. This fucking kiss I’ve waited a damn decade for.

She’s perfection in my arms, fitting against me flawlessly. Soft to my hard. Exactly as I knew she’d be.

Our lips move hungrily against each other as her decadent scent assaults my senses. I inhale deeply because I want her in my lungs. And in my soul. Like she’s already in my heart and every waking thought.

Warmth fills me, driving away the frigid air surrounding us. As her velvet tongue delves past my lips, I drink her down, swallowing every sound she makes so I can take them with me when I fly out of here.

Because I know she’s saying goodbye with this kiss.

This is a gift. But I’m unsure whether it’s for her or me.

As heartbreaking as that may be, I don’t let it stop me from reveling in it. The feel of her body against mine is everything I’ve wanted. Dreams of this moment kept me sane when my hands were coated in the blood of our enemies. Or the blood of our own men.

I realized long ago that Maddie made me want things I’ve never wanted. She made me long for a future I can be proud of. A life of love and family.

I might never get it from her.

But I’ll always have this kiss.

As she pulls away, our heavy breaths mingle in the scant space between our lips.

“I needed to do that,” she simpers, still battling to fill her lungs.

“And I need to do this.”

I recapture her lips, squeezing her nape to thrust her back toward me.

Surprised, she gasps against my mouth. But her grip on my shoulders tightens, holding me to her. She wasn’t ready for it to end either.

When her lips part this time, I dive in, greedily taking what I want.

Well, as much as I can take in front of the damn airport with an impatient asshole clearing his throat a few feet away from us.

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