“So we’ll figure it out,” I say, my forehead against hers. “Long distance, the schedules, all of it. I don’t know exactly how yet, but I know I want this. I want you.”
“I want this too,” she says softly. She pulls back slightly to look at me. “But that means we have to be completely honest with each other, alright? To make this work. I mean, we started by fake dating, so we need a real foundation now. No more pretending, no more playing roles. Just us, being real.”
“Deal,” I say immediately. “Complete honesty. No bullshit.”
“Good.” She kisses me again, softer this time. When she pulls back, she’s smiling. “So we’re really doing this? You and me?”
My hands slide up her back, pulling her closer. “You have no idea how badly I’ve wanted you to be mine. Actually mine, not just for show.”
She pulls back to look at me, and her smile is radiant. “Then I’m yours. And you’re mine.”
“Damn right you are,” I tell her, and kiss her again. She kisses me back with everything she has, her arms wrapping around my neck, and it feels like coming home.
I’ve spent years running from anything that mattered, anything that could hurt me. But with her, I want to stoprunning. We’ll figure out the distance, the schedules, all the logistics that seem impossible right now. Because this, what we have right here, is worth fighting for.
She’s worth fighting for.
CHAPTER 19
LARK
The morning light creeps across my bedroom ceiling in slow golden strips, and I can’t stop smiling.
My comforter is pulled up to my chin even though it’s definitely not cold. More like I’m trying to hold onto the warmth of last night, the feeling of Jack’s arms around me, his weight pressing me into the mattress. The ceiling fan above me clicks with every rotation, a rhythmic sound that normally lulls me to sleep but right now just reminds me that I’m alone in this bed when I’d much rather be tangled up with him.
We got back to Dark River late last night, but Jack had to turn around and go back to Seattle this morning. He has an early meeting with Robert about contract stuff, then a full day of sponsor obligations and media appearances before he can finally drive back tonight. Which means I’m here, in my apartment, alone, and already missing him bad.
I turn over and bury my face in my pillow, groaning. One night together and now I’m completely ruined for anyone else. Completely gone for Jack Midnight in a way that shouldprobably terrify me but instead just makes me grin into my pillow like a maniac.
The physical part was mind-blowing. Like, I-didn’t-know-my-body-could-do-that levels of incredible. Six orgasms. Six. But it was everything else too. The way it felt to be with him. Safe and free, like I could just be myself without constantly editing.
And now we’re actually together. My phone buzzes on my nightstand and I grab it immediately.
Maren:Incoming with caffeine. You up?
I grin, typing back quickly.
Me:Yes I’m up and oh my god you are not going to believe the updates I have for you
Maren:!!!!!!
Maren:Screaming. I am racing there right now
Me:Good because the tea is piping hot
Maren:Be there in 5 minutes!
I laugh, tossing my phone aside and snuggling back into the pillows. Five minutes later I hear my front door open and close, then Maren’s quick footsteps practically running down the hallway.
“Lark!” she calls out, breathless.
“In here!” I call back, already grinning.
She bursts through my bedroom door holding two to-go cups fromBean There, one of our favorite coffee shops, wearing black leggings and an oversized cream sweater, her blonde hair in a ponytail. She has this huge grin on her face, cheeks flushed.
I laugh. “Did you actuallyrunhere?”
“Of course! You teased gossip like dangling a carrot and I am starving for details,” she says, slightly out of breath. “And for some reason everyone is home today and parked in your apartment complex so I had a hell of a time finding a spot.” She climbs onto the bed immediately, settling cross-legged facingme. “Okay, you’re grinning like a lunatic. Start talking right now.”
