Page 310

“You are putting a lot of faith in my mouth.”

“I've met it.”

That gets a watery laugh.

God, I love that sound.

Sweet looks at me for another long second.

Then she asks, “Can you kiss me?”

Every nerve in my body lights.

“Yes.”

I still don't move.

Her eyebrows rise.

“What?”

“You asked if I can.”

“Bitter.”

“I need the other answer.”

Understanding moves across her face.

She steps closer.

“Yes. Kiss me.”

That is all I need.

I slide one hand carefully around her waist and kiss her.

Slow.

No desperation. No trying to turn one yes into five.

Her mouth is soft and familiar enough to hurt. For the first few seconds Sweet barely moves, then her hand slides into my hair and she kisses me back.

Everything inside me comes apart.

I keep the kiss gentle even when my body wants more.

Sweet is the one who deepens it. She is the one who presses closer and decides when her other arm wraps around my neck.

Choice.

Every damn inch of it.

When she pulls away, I let her.

Sweet keeps her forehead against mine.

“Are we broken?”