“Exactly. That’s why it can’t be your fault either.” She presses the back of her hand to my cheek. “You did the right thing.”
Goddamn, that stings.
I blink at her slowly.
She just gave up the last thing I ever expected to hear, and hell—I know I don’t deserve it. My mangled ego agrees.
“I destroyed the egg,” I snarl. “Right or wrong, I pulled the trigger.”
“You saved a lot of lives. You savedme.” Her smile shines like the sun, indifferent to my guilt. “I know, Holden. Just like I know you showed me what matters—not just in there, playing hero. That was terrifying, and you were incredible, but you showed me by being brave. Just by beingyou.”
I shift my weight, fighting the urge to snatch back my hand.
A hot tear rolls down her cheek, and I’ve never wanted to hold her like now. That itch, that thirst runs to my bones.
“Clee, you’re making no fucking sense. But I appreciate you.”
She laughs, pressing her lips to the back of my hand.
“In case you hadn’t noticed, my future was never about big money or traveling the world. I just didn’t know it until today.”
“Know what?”
“That what Gramps left was more than just a priceless artifact. He left me a blueprint to figure my shit out.”
“What blueprint? Idestroyedit.”
“The egg, Holden. That’s what’s gone. Nothing else.” She puts her hand over her mouth and gives a tired laugh.
“You should be pissed at me,” I whisper. “You should befurious. I thought you’d use me as your punching bag after what happened, and I would’ve gladly let you.”
“Holden,” she whispers brokenly, taking my face in both hands and holding my head still. “Sometimes, you’re an idiot. And I love you anyway.”
“Tell me something I don’t know—”
I stop as her words catch up with me.
Love?
“What PopPop left me when he died—what’s worth way more than the egg—isyou.” To hammer her point home, she climbs on my lap then and kisses me reverently.
Right there on the steps outside the precinct with the wind in her hair.
Movie shit.
Her mouth is warm, tongue thick and sweet like honey, and I never had a prayer.
Against my better instincts, I grab her hips and sink into this glorious insanity.
I kiss her back like I’ll find my soul in her lips.
Hell, maybe I will.
Even if it’s raw emotion, even if she changes her mind tomorrow, I’m not losing this moment.
“It’s the shock talking,” I mutter between kisses, pulling her closer anyway until she’s flush against my chest. “You’re not thinking clearly.”
“I don’t want to. And I don’t want the egg, Holden. I don’t need anything else.”
