Page 17 of Return to the Island

“I wanted you to love me…but you forgot.” He flipped his gaze to me.

“You left me,” he whispered harshly with a look of shock on his face, and something more—he looked hurt.

“I did.” My guilt riddled me for months after leaving the island. I should have let him come with me to meet Lillian, show himself to her, but I had been selfish then. I wanted to keep him my secret. Added guilt came when I learned the truth of the social experiment. The only place I could look for him had been his father’s company, and that turned out to be a big mistake.

We remained staring at one another a moment, our minds drifting with separate thoughts. Our hands still pressed on one another, rediscovering the shape of each other.

“I’m sorry, Tack.” My voice trembled. “I’m so sorry.”

“Baby.” His tone was a question as his thumb rubbed over my cheek. Tears threatened to fall, caught between my failure, by leaving him, and my frustration in currently wanting him.

“Mouse, just one. Let me have one, for now.” This was us. He wanted permission, and I waited for him to ask. I’d give him anything. I felt it in that moment. He only had to ask me and he could have everything. I nodded, and his lips brushed mine. The kiss was delicate, teasing like the touches he’d been giving my body, taunting me with desire. His lips parted slightly and sucked at mine. I responded in kind with slow, deliberate nips. The kiss was tender. Words that could not yet be said came from the connection.

I’ve missed you.

I still love you.

A loud bang at my door made me jump. Our mouths broke apart. The faint sound of my name wafted through the solid wood and over the roar of the shower.

“I should go,” he said as his forehead came to rest on mine. My fingers fumbled over my lips. I didn’t want him to leave, but I recognized the desperation in Miller’s pounding.

“Let me get the door.”