The tears came instantly after that.
Not graceful tears.
Not pretty.
The kind pulled from somewhere deep.
Because nobody had ever lovedme like this.
Not once.
Not ever.
And suddenly…
I couldn’t hold it anymore.
“I never stopped either,” I whispered brokenly.
Hersh went completely still.
“I tried,” I admitted through tears. “God, I tried so hard after I found the letters because I thought maybe you’d moved on and?—”
His forehead dropped gently against mine.
“I didn’t.”
The words wrapped around my shattered heart like warmth.
And before fear could stop me?—
before logic or danger or common sense could interfere?—
I lifted onto my toes and kissed him. My heart was pounding. I felt for sure he could hear it.
20
BLAZE
The second Flick kissed me, every coherent thought in my head disappeared.
Gone.
Sixteen years vanished in one heartbeat.
Her hands caught the front of my shirt tightly like she was afraid I might disappear if she let go.
I kissed her back instantly.
No hesitation.
No restraint.
Because I had dreamed about this woman for half my damn life.
The kiss hit hard.
Not gentle nostalgia.
