Page 220 of Hard Pass

Her jaw drops. “You did not.”

“I have no shame.” I grin. “I absolutely did.”

“Oh my God.”

“I even figured out where I’d hide it. I was just lacking execution.”

She stares at me for half a second before she bursts out laughing. Full-body, can’t-help-it laughter.

Fucking hell, I’d burn down the entire world for that sound.

“You’re insane,” she says through the laughter.

“Probably.” I shrug.

“You were seriously worried I’d leave?” she asks as she shifts in the chair to straddle my lap so we’re face-to-face.

My smile fades around the edges. “Yeah.”

The simple, raw honesty sits there between us. Her expression softens as she tilts her head.

“Cole Valor,” she says, her hands sliding up my chest and into my hair. “After everything we’ve survived these past few months, what gave you the impression I was going anywhere?”

I consider how best to answer. “You’re still the smartest woman I know.”

She blinks. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“It means eventually you’ll come to your senses.”

She rolls her eyes and laughs. “Too late.” She brushes her lips over mine. “I’m already emotionally compromised.”

I groan softly against her lips. “God, that’s hot.”

She laughs again but her expression softens. “Yes. I’ll give up my apartment.”

Relief. That’s what I feel. “You sure?”

“Very.”

“And this isn’t just because you’re drunk on post-scandal adrenaline?”

She smacks my shoulder playfully before cupping my face again and forcing my attention fully back on her.

Like it ever left.

“I love you,” she says simply. “I’m here. Stop waiting for me to leave.”

Jesus. I kiss her before I can say something embarrassingly emotional. Or worse—cry.

When we finally pull apart, when I’m done getting lost in her kiss that I’ll never get enough of, the sun has almost disappeared from the sky.

Dublin brushes her nose lightly against mine. “So our priorities are now adjusted. Us. The playoffs. More us. Figuring out life outside the fire.”

I grin. “I can live with that.”

Her fingers trace lightly along my jaw as my hands run up her thighs. “And Dr. Hawley?”

“Still plan on seeing her.”