JESS
Luke’s kiss burned against my lips, overwhelming my senses. I could taste the salt of my tears mingling with his warmth as if he was consuming every thought I had left. My heart pounded, and I couldn’t tell if this was real or just some impossible dream. I pulled back, gasping, my eyes opening wide, questions tumbling through my mind–was this real?
Could I trust this, trust him, after everything? But he silenced my doubts. with another kiss, deeper this time, pulling me in as if he feared I might slip away.
“Jess,” he murmured, his voice low and rough, “I know what you’re
thinking. You should be kicking me out, throwing me out on my ass, and I’d deserve it. But right now, I’m going to be selfish.” His thumb brushed over my cheek, his gaze fierce. “I’m not moving one inch until you forgive me until you let me make this right. Until you take me back.”
I stared up at him, words tangling up in my throat as he held me. “You should be forgiving me,” I said, my voice wavering. “I let us go so easily, didn’t fight hard enough, didn’t even remember…” My voice cracked as guilt flooded in. “It’s my fault-”
“Stop,” he interrupted, his hand shifting to hold the side of my face, his gaze burning with a raw intensity that made my heart stutter. “No. None of this is your fault. I don’t care what happened; this is on me. And I need to know you won’t leave me again, Jess. I need to know you’re mine, now and always.”
