Page 31 of Just Another Chance

When we lift our heads up, I stare into her pretty dark eyes, glistening with unshed tears, and I can only imagine all of the unnecessary pain we’ve both endured because of my father, Chella and Kayla. I don’t want to fucking think about it anymore. All I want to do is start making up for lost time with the woman I have always loved.

Because that’s the one thing that never changed.

I love Addison Lila Hayes with every fiber of my being. I always have and I always will.

“I was speeding, driving like a damn lunatic, and turned right in front of a truck. Broke my leg and got a concussion.”

Her eyes briefly squeeze shut and she releases a shaky breath.

“I had to stay in the hospital for a week. I was a little out of it and by the time they released me, it was too late. I tried to find you, but you were gone.”

“I’m so sorry.” She starts sniffing and it kills me.

“Addie, sweetheart,” I murmur and reach up to cup her face. “Let’s not talk about that now. I just want to focus on you. Do you know how fucking much I’ve missed you these last two years?”

“I missed you, too.”

Slowly, I lower my lips to hers. The moment our mouths connect, it’s pure magic. It’s like coming home and nothing has ever felt so right. How do you even adequately explain the moment when you find your lost soulmate again? I can’t verbally express it, so I keep kissing her until we’re both forced to break apart and come up for air.

Breathing hard, foreheads touching again, emotion hits me hard. Her, too. We’re clinging to each other like we’re the only two people left in the world. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that my father had lied, sabotaged our futures and purposely driven us apart for his own selfish reasons.Bastard.

The air between us feels so much lighter and cleaner now, though. We never stopped loving each other. It was all a horrible misunderstanding that I don’t even fully understand yet. Right now, all I know is I love this woman more than ever before and I need to get her alone.

“Will you come home with me?” I’m still holding her face, scared to death to let go. Scared that she will disappear like a puff of smoke or that I’ll wake up and this will all have only been a beautiful dream.

“Yes,” she whispers.

Relief and anticipation flood through me. I release her beautiful face and look deep into her chocolate eyes. I can’t believe she’s here with me right now and that we’re about to go back to my place. My pulse thunders and I can only stare at her, willing her to feel all the love that’s pulsing through my body.

“Tanner?” She studies me closely. “Are you okay?”

“I’m in fucking awe of you, Addie. You’re so strong and resilient.”

“Me?”

“Oh, sweetheart, you’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met and I’m so sorry my father screwed everything up between us. Fuck, Addie. Facing each day without you by my side these past two years has been soul-crushing. No words can express how much I’ve missed you.”

A small smile lifts the edge of her mouth. “I feel like I’m dreaming.” She touches my face, running her hands along my jawline, as though trying to convince herself that I’m real.

“We’re not dreaming,” I say and capture her lips in a searing kiss. My tongue plunges into her mouth and she tastes like sugared lemons. The sweet scent of honeysuckle surrounds us, and I slide my hands through her hair, curving around her neck, and drink deeply. After indulging another minute, I pull back. “We should go.”

Addie nods and I pull her up off the bench with me. I hustle her toward the exit, and she giggles as she tries to keep up with my long legs. “Wait for me,” she exclaims.

“I’ve waited too long. Move it, baby.”

She laughs, linking her arm through mine, and I start walking faster, practically jogging.

“Keep up, sweetheart, or I’m going to toss you over my shoulder and carry you out of here.” I’ve never wanted to get home so fast in my life. Addie picks up her pace and we make it to my Mercedes in record time. I drive far too fast, yet carefully, and when we pull into the underground parking garage below my loft, I’m thrilled to finally be home.

I pull Addie over to the elevator and I can’t keep my hands off her as it starts up. Dragging her against me, my mouth captures hers and I clasp her hips, holding her close and grinding against her. She whimpers, kissing me back with utter abandon, and I’m drowning in her baby powder scent.

When we get up to my loft, I close the door and turn to find her looking around, almost shyly checking the place out.

“Your place is nice,” she says.

“I’ll give the official tour later,” I promise and hungrily corner her against the nearest wall. Propping my hands up on either side of her head, my lips descend and plunder. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get enough of her, but I’m going to try. I’m going to indulge and feast on her like a Thanksgiving Day dinner.

God, it’s been so long. I haven’t been with anyone since Addie. Guess that’s what love does– casts a spell over you and makes you long and pine for a specific person. Since I couldn’t have her, I chose to have no one. I don’t regret that decision.

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