Not a question. Not a rush. Justtruth, pressed warm to my mouth.
His lips moved against mine with a kind of quiet certainty, the kind that said he’d been holding back for a long time.
The kiss lingered—long enough to make my breath catch, long enough for his fingers to tighten at my waist like he couldn’t quite help it.
My hand curled against his chest. My whole body lit up with it—this slow, steady burn.
When he pulled away, his forehead rested gently against mine. His breath was unsteady.
I felt it low in my belly. A slow, rising heat that made my skin ache for more.
That one kiss—simple, restrained—set fire to something I didn’t know I’d been holding back.
And it meant everything.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “For staying. For not… giving up on me.”
I hesitated, fingers tightening at his sleeve.
“I hope you know how much that means. Even if I don’t always say it right.”
His smile was small, but real.
“Well, you may not realise this,” he said, “but I like being around you.”
That made something inside me flutter—something soft and uncertain.
He sat beside me, and I leaned into him—body heavy, but heart just a little lighter.
His arm slid around my shoulders, pulling me close. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.
I felt his breath near my temple—warm, steady. The solid line of his body against mine. The slow, grounded rhythm of him.
Gods, he was so still. So steady.
Like he could hold the world still if I asked him to.
For a moment, we just breathed. My fingers brushed the fabric of his shirt, then found the space where it had pulled loose from his belt. I let them drift beneath—just lightly. Skin to skin. His stomach tensed beneath my touch.
He didn’t stop me.
I didn’t pull away.
Then I asked quietly, “Where do you think the others went?”
“I saw Maddie chase out Leo. Phoenix probably went to the library.”
“He’s been acting a little weird. They both have.” I said, trying to sound casual, but the words came out heavier. Slade chuffed out a soft laugh.
“Have they?” he asked, smiling, but his voice was low. Warmer.
“So you aren’t going to tell me. Figures.”
“Talk to them.”
“I tried. Phoenix got all defensive,” I muttered. “And Leo—he hasn’t been around much.”
Slade leaned his head back against the wall, his voice quieter now.
