Page 97 of Ex Somnis

The honesty of it almost hurts more than reassurance would have.

“I appreciate that,” I whisper.

“I know. And for what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re finding this particularly easy either.” His arms close around me and pull me against him until there isn’t space left between us.

I breathe him in for a moment.

Then another.

Then I sigh because this damn feeling sits in my chest.

It’s not only him who should hate me.

“Do you think Nevan is mad at me?”

Paul takes a moment to think, and I’m glad he’s not reassuring me automatically. When he finally speaks, his voice is gentle. “No.”

My shoulders loosen.

“But he’s feeling guilty.”

“Guilty?”

“He kissed you, and now you’re stuck here. And knowing what I know about Nevan, he’s probably convinced himself he made things harder for you.”

That sounds exactly like him.

Fuck.

“And I just walked away.”

“Actually, you ran into another dimension.”

“Well…” I grimace. “When you put it like that.”

“I find context is important.”

Another laugh escapes me. “You’re mean, you know that?”

Paul shrugs. “I’m not perfect.”

“I disagree,” I murmur before kissing him again, and for the first time since Tessa left, the feeling of crawling out of my skin eases.

After a few languid kisses, I settle back against his chest, but the Nevan thing is still there.

“Is that why he isn’t here?”

“No. Nevan still can’t go lucid, and he’s nowhere near ready to attempt dream sharing. But he’s trying very hard for you.”

Oh, Nev.

“Is he sleeping right now? Could we⁠—”

Paul catches my chin before I can finish. His mouth brushes mine once, twice, and by the third kiss, I’ve forgotten the rest of the sentence entirely.

When he pulls back, his eyes are darker. “Lennon, please tell me one thing. Do you want me?”

The tears sting before I can stop them.