“You can’t give up your dreams,” I growl.
“I can adjust what IthoughtI wanted. Things change.”
I kiss her again, pathetically addicted to her taste.
“Clee, if you’re going to change your mind, don’t do it yet,” I rasp against her mouth. “Let me savor the moment. Let me fucking love you.”
She smiles and rakes her nails down the back of my neck, and it feels divine.
Hard to believe this morning we sat across from each other at the breakfast table in surly silence, both of us trying to pretend we didn’t give a shit about the ugly way we ended.
Now we’re here and none of it feels real.
I think I need a few more kisses to find out, to wake up from this dream.
She kisses me until it hurts before she pulls back. “Convinced yet? Or will you just keep denying I know what I want?”
“I’m not going to question my luck, or you,” I say, claiming her lips again.
After today, I won’t dare question fate and its warped sense of humor.
27
TRULY PRICELESS (CLEO)
Istill don’t know how we make it back to the condo in one piece.
I can barely stop kissing Holden—and every time I think he’ll break away, tell me he’s changed his mind, ask me to cool it, whatever, he surprises me.
He just pulls me closer and kisses me more deeply, whenever he’s not pressing my head protectively under his chin.
God.
I swear we’re like high school kids in the Uber ride the whole way back. The driver must be ready to gag, but I don’t care.
Back at the condo, Holden carries me out of the car, never letting my feet touch the ground. Full caveman mode, and I love it.
“Fucking boner,” he mutters against my neck as he stumbles in the hall. “You’ve had me hard as diamond since we left the precinct station.”
I giggle, especially when an elderly couple passing by do a double take.
It just bubbles out of me, wild and free, and Holden grins.
I’m not the only one smiling with a ten-ton weight pulled off my shoulders. He’s wearing an expression I’ve rarely seen.
Tender and sweet and so full of good humor.
When we first met, I thought he had a chronic disease that made smiling impossible. The grumpiest man alive.
Now, I know so much better.
The instant we’re through the door of our unit, I slide down his torso so I’m perched right against his erection. He groans, squeezing my ass with both hands.
“You’re still a liability, Miss Blackthorn.”
“Shut up and break me,” I whisper.
We only pause to lock the door, then we’re kissing each other stupid, desperate hands tangled in hair.
