Page 76 of Diverge

I finish them for her. “And then you found out who I truly was.” I slide my arm around her waist once more and pull her into me.

“Listen to me, and hear me when I say this... that night at the cabin, I saw the connection between you and Finn.

I saw the undeniable pull you both had on each other and when I thought about what happened that night on the drive home, I knew I had to let you go. I knew he was your best friend and first love, which is why I didn’t stand a chance, and I didn’t have it in me to make you choose, because you would’ve chosen him. I also had Noah to think about and our future... it made sense for me to move. I couldn’t stay in Melbourne, not after all the things I had done, the people I had hurt.” She places her hands on my chest and looks up at me through beautifully thick lashes.

“Riley told me how much Finn loved you, in the short time you had with him, how much he cared for you and pushed you to become a better person... how he helped you quit the job you absolutely despised. I’m happy you got to spend that time with Finn, to be there for him, and love him while he fought. I understand first loves are ones that will always be with us forever.” A tear slides down her cheek, and I brush it away with my thumb, resting my hand on her face.

“If you will let me, I will be your last love. I will give you everything and anything you want. I may be slightly older, but the feelings are still there, the desire is still there. If you let me in again, I can show you I am the only man you will ever need from this day on.” My heart hammers inside my chest as I speak.

“I know I’m nothing like Finn was, and I don’t want to be, but I promise that you will never have to question my love for you. You will never have to live without it because as long as my heart beats on this earth, baby, it beats for you, for us.”

She takes a deep breath, her eyes lingering on my lips.

Without thinking, I capture her lips with mine with five years worth of yearning and desire for her, billowing through me like a fire, sucking up all the oxygen around us.

Her soft lips open, allowing me entry to her mouth. I taste her, pulling her into me, her arms reach around my neck, our mouths moving together. Over the years, I thought about this kiss too many times to count.

She breaks the kiss, her arms resting on my shoulders. “Why didn’t you contact me?” I knew she would ask this, and she has every right to.

“When I heard about Finn’s illness, I wanted to wait for you. I know it sounds selfish, but I hoped you would find your way back to me someday, so I wanted you to be ready when that day came,” I admit.

“I don’t know if I am,” she says, her voice barely a whisper.

“If you weren’t ready, you wouldn’t have come tonight.” I place both hands on her hips, and it takes all my willpower to keep them from roaming her body. Her thin, black satin dress clings to her curves so perfectly under my grasp. “You wouldn’t have chased after me at that café.” I watch her considering my words as she fights internally with herself. “What are you thinking? Please, B, let me in.”

She reaches up and runs her fingers through my hair, sending goose bumps down my back. “I’m thinking about keeping the promises I make.”

My brows furrow with confusion. “I made a promise to Finn that I would pursue everything in life that could make me happy... and I have done that in every aspect of my life besides love.” She sighs. “I think you’re right. Maybe I am ready to be loved again... maybeIam ready to love again.”

I let go of a breath I didn’t realise I was holding. “I will choose you every single day of my life, if you let me. I will be there in every way, to love you, to hold you, to carry you... to lift you when you need me to... if you let me, baby, I willbeanything for you,doanything for you.” I give her my word, and I mean it.

“I loved you, Nate, and I never got a chance to say it back then because I was so confused, but I’ll say it now. I don’t want another moment passing us by without letting you know I love you. I kept you in my heart all these years that had passed, wondering how you were and if you ever thought of me,” she says, her lip quivering as she speaks.

“I kept wondering if maybe the universe made a mistake, if we met at the wrong time...” She hesitates before she speaks again. “The question was always there, in the back of my mind... what if...?” She pauses, biting her lip to hold herself together.

“No more what-ifs, baby. This is it,” I whisper.

She pulls me in for another kiss, her lips lingering for a moment before pressing onto mine. Although we haven’t seen each other in years, the chemistry remains unchanged. I feel it in my entire body when she’s near. I hold her tight, close to me, in case she might slip away again, in case I will lose her again.

The kiss grows hotter, deeper... I feel her desire building, radiating through her body, into mine. Sliding my hands a little further down, I almost lose it as my hands rest on her ass, feeling the sensual curve. Her hands roam my chest. Every inch she touches feels like it’s being set on fire. She breaks the kiss, her breathing heavy.

“We should probably go back inside,” she pants.

“Not yet...” I feel like a teenager again, the erection in my pants growing with every second I spend with her. “Go on a date with me.”

She chuckles. “When?”

“Every day, for the rest of our lives... starting now.” I watch as her eyes move to the venue, and she begins to pull away from my hold. Then we are interrupted by none other than my little brother.

“You found each other,” I hear him say joyfully as he approaches Billie, taking her in a hug.

“A heads up would’ve been nice. I had to improvise a whole speech,” I joke as they both smile and laugh.

“Yeah... well. Don’t take this the wrong way, Billie, but I didn’t want him to be disappointed if you didn’t end up coming.” He scratches the back of his head.

“I’m not offended.” She smiles. “You were just looking out for him.”

Noah looks at me. “Well... are you two going to join the party or what?”

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