Page 110 of The Mercenary's Hidden Heir

Reverent.

Like he’s afraid I’ll vanish if he touches too hard.

I press into his hand without thinking.

Needing him.

Needing this.

He bends his head.

Slow.

Patient.

Our lips meet soft.

Tentative.

Like it’s the first damn time all over again.

But this time, there’s no fear.

No walls.

No ghosts clawing between us.

Just him.

Just me.

Just the future we’re finally brave enough to reach for.

His arms wrap around me, pulling me in close.

Safe.

Steady.

Home.

I kiss him back, fierce and sure.

And somewhere in the middle of all that wrecked tenderness.

I realize I’m not lost anymore.

Not alone.

Never with him.

CHAPTER 29

KELLI

The ship rattles harder than it ought to on approach, metal skin creaking like it’s nervous too.

I press a hand flat against the nearest bulkhead, feeling the vibration roll up my arm.

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