She pulls the blanket up over her as she twists to her other side. You never have to tell Lanie to sleep more than once.
I yank the door open, ready to give a tongue-lashing to whoever finds it necessary to practically punch through my door, only to find Nick, fist raised and wearing the same clothes as yesterday.
There are bags under his tired eyes and his hair is good and mussed, looking like he’s been running his hands through it all night.
My breath hitches and without thinking, I launch myself into his arms.
“Nick,” I cry out, tears welling in my eyes. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” The words are whispered into the crook of his neck, and I feel his entire body shiver in response.
His arms wrap around me, pulling me flush to his chest.
“I have so many questions,” he says into the top of my head. “I’m sorry for not listening sooner.” His fingers run through my hair, while his other hand remains wrapped around my back. The moment is incredibly intimate, and I don’t dare move. “You could’ve been hurt.”
I swallow, thinking about how close to danger he’d been.
Pulling away, I stare into his eyes. “I was worried sick. Don’t ever d—”
My words are cut off when Nick’s lips crash against mine,swallowing my choked cry of relief. When his tongue begs entrance, I open willingly. The kiss isn’t gentle. It’s a dominating kiss. A claim stemming from fear and desperation.
I claw at his shirt, gripping it tightly against my palms, needing to feel each beat of his heart. Each labored breath he takes.
Our tongues tangle in a dance that’s ours alone. It lights up every piece of me, sending tingles down my spine and chills across my neck. This is unlike anything I’ve experienced before, and despite everything, there isn’t sadness with that truth.
It’s different, but that doesn’t take away from what I had with Garrett. If anything, my life with him taught me to not settle for less than anything that makes your soul light up. He gave that to me during his short life here on earth, and I know without a doubt he’d want that for me again.
I push all thoughts of that life away as I allow myself to melt into Nick. To allow this growing need to bloom. I’m not sure how long we stay like this, front door wide open for the world to see. Neither of us cares. Let people talk. In this moment, it’s just us.
My body is flush against him when he pulls away, breath ragged.
“I’m sorry.” His thick, smoky voice makes my feet tingle and belly flip-flop.
I almost don’t want to ask, because if he says he regrets kissing me, I might die.
“For what?”
“For kissing you.” My mood plummets, and he must see it because his eyes widen fractionally, and he rushes to explain. “I’m not sorry I did it. I’m sorry I didn’t ask.”
The corners of my lips tip up into a wide grin. “I thought it was hot.”
He chuckles, pulling me in to him and placing a chaste kiss on my lips. “It was a long time coming, if I’m honest.”
My head bobs like a broken doll head. “It was.”
That dimpled grin I’m growing to crave greets me. “There will be plenty more of that if you want, but I have questions and I need answers.”
I gulp, stepping aside and motioning for him to come in, shutting the door and steering him toward the front room, as far from Lanie as possible. As ridiculous as it is, I want to keep him to myself for a bit.
“Why were you at Clementine’s?” he blurts out, not even waiting for me to sit.
I grimace, thinking about our part in putting Nick in the line of fire and really questioning if now’s a good time to bring up ghosts.
“Do you really want the truth? Or should I lie to you?”
He stares at me intently, and I can’t make out what’s going through his mind. “The truth, Alyssa.”
I roll my tongue, savoring the hint of mint still on my breath. All the various ways to stall filter through my mind, and for a split second I consider denying what happened. One quick look at Nick tells me that won’t work.
I take a deep breath and exhale for a ten count.
