Page 77 of The Legend (Rivers Wilde 2)

“Yeah, I don’t miss your slow-ass driving at all.”

He smiles. It’s a flash of light from a shooting star across a dark moonless sky. And just like that, I don’t feel so fucking shitty.

Life has gotten in the way so many times and now, it’s time for us to get off this ride.

It takes effort to step away from him, away from his touch. But I do it with a smile. “So, you’re about to be a Supreme Court Clerk?”

“Still asking around about me, I see…” A bark of surprised laughter escapes me.

“I guess so. Congratulations. It’s a big fucking deal.”

He shakes his head as if he’s amazed by his own achievement. “Kal, there’s a voter ID law coming up for review. I would be involved in a really historically significant moment. I mean every decision the court makes is historically significant, but it’s a brand-new question and I get to be right there. If I get it.”

“You’ll get it. You’re Remington Wilde. The Legend. You’re damn good at everything,” I quip, but it sounds brittle and hollow in my own ears. I just smile wider.

“I’m not good at everything, Kal. I just work harder than everyone else.” I’m so proud of him and sad for us.

“You did it.” I imbue my voice with that pride.

He nods and then shakes his head like he disagrees. “No, Kal. I’ve fucked-up so bad.” He sounds despondent.

I forget the distance I tried to create and move closer to him. “What do you mean? You’re a shoo-in for that job.”

“No. Not that. This. Us.” He reaches out and presses his palm between my breasts and at his touch, tears spring to my eyes.

The bone-deep regret in his voice scares me. I shake my head at him. “We didn’t stand a chance. We had everything against us. Your mother hated me. Life…”

He moves so quickly; I don’t even see it coming. His arm wraps around my waist and he pulls me up against him. And then drops us onto the low-slung couch under the window.

He holds me in his lap, his eyes hook onto mine and that wolf-like keenness he had whenever he was determined appears.

“Remi—” I start to admonish him.

His big, warm hand cups my jaw and the words die in my throat. His hand on my skin ignites every synapse of need in my body. It’s like he flipped a switch.

“Yeah… I know. I feel it too,” he says quietly. His hand moves up my jaw and to my hair. I close my eyes against the shiver that runs through me when the pads of his big fingers caress my scalp.

“Remi…”

“You’re so beautiful,” he says, and I look down at him.

“You are, too,” I whisper. And he is. Inside and out.

He brings his face to mine until our foreheads touch and our noses brush each other. I rock mine back and forth over his forehead.

His eyes roam my face. “I missed that fucking freckle.” He whispers and his breath dances on my lips.

So close.

So, so close.

A wave of longing crashes against my resolve and my breath hitches.

“Can I kiss you?” He asks, holding my gaze, piercing my very soul with it. I’ve never wanted anything more. I have to bite my lip to keep from begging him to please kiss me.

I shake my head.

He groans softly and slides his nose along mine. I exhale a shuddering breath and he inhales sharply, like he’s trying capture it.

---