“You scared me a little,” she says.
“I know.” My throat works around the words. “And I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shouted. I shouldn’t have let it get that far. You just—fuck, you know how to rattle me.”
“I do,” she murmurs. “And I like doing it. But I don’t want to hurt you, either.”
“I want to do better,” I tell her. “I want tobebetter. For you.”
We’re both quiet for a moment. And then—
“All I ever wanted was you,” she says quietly. “Back then, and… And maybe now, too. But it’s complicated.”
“I know.”
“There’s Cam. And Jace. And I’m not… I’m not a good—”
“I know,” I say again, cutting her off. “Look, I get it; and I know you don’t believe me on the wholenot jealousthing, but I’m honestly not trying to compete with them. I never would. They’re mypack. My brothers. I trust them with everything.”
I pause.
“And despite the glitter and the pink and the omega-friendly shampoo bottles taking over the house…” I glance at her, a crooked smile tugging at my mouth, “…I think you’d make them happy. All of us.”
She blinks, and something crumbles in her expression.
“You mean that?”
“Yeah.” I take her hand. It’s small and warm in mine. “I don’t want war anymore, Aims. I just want… peace. With you.”
Her eyes shine. “Me too.”
Her fingers tighten in mine, and then she leans in.
I meet her halfway.
Her lips are warm when they brush mine. Soft and hesitant, though there’s no teeth this time. No bite. Just the kind of kiss that feels like a promise, even if neither of us are brave enough to say the words aloud.
I close my eyes, letting it settle. Lettinghersettle.
The scent of her is everywhere—sweet and warm and dizzying. It wraps around me, roots into my skin, makes my brain go quiet for the first time in days. She exhales into the kiss, and I feel it all—her relief, her want, her grief.
And mine.
I deepen it slowly, lifting my hand to the back of her neck. My palm rests against her skin, fingers sliding into her hair. She leans into it like she always used to, like instinct, like she still remembers the way we fit.
God, shestill fits.
I shift, tugging her gently into my lap. She comes easily, curling in like it’s the most natural thing in the world; her thighs straddling mine, her hands on my shoulders, her chest pressed to mine. It’s not sexual. Itcouldbe, maybe, but that’s not what this is. This is something softer.
Something that feels like starting over.
Her forehead drops to mine, noses brushing, breath mingling.
“We’ve never done this right,” she whispers.
“I know.”
She swallows, and I feel the tremble in her. “But maybe we could now.”
I nod, barely moving. “I think I want to try.”