Page 70 of One Kiss Isn't Enough
With an asymmetric grin he asks me casually, “You weren’t already in love with me?” He can try to hide it all he wants, but I know there’s a hint of fear beneath his words. How could this man ever think I didn’t love him?
“I’ve loved you every day since that kiss,” I confess to him as he lifts up the beer. When my words hit his ears, he sets the glass back down onto the bar. Staring at it, and listening as I tell him, “I love you every day and in every moment, but falling in love is something you can do over and over again.”
“I want to fall in love with you every chance I get,” he tells me and his voice is deep and rough, laced with a sinful desire and something else. Something pure and good. The need to be loved and to feel worthy of being loved.
Even as I bite down on my bottom lip, I smile genuinely. Snaking my ankle behind his muscular leg, I lean into him and whisper, “Then let’s do it every day.”
He takes a swallow of his beer before kissing me again, teasing me and I love it. He tastes like wheat IPA and something dangerous, something too tempting to ever resist.
I don’t lean back as I catch a glimpse of Carter from the corner of my eye. Sebastian follows my gaze and we both watch him enter a locked door, guarded by two men who open it for him.
“I haven’t said hi to Carter yet,” I admit and wonder what that will be like. He’s changed. We all have.
“That’s his brother Jase,” Bastian corrects me and I huff out a breath. “They did all used to look alike,” I muster up the excuse, but Bastian doesn’t seem to care. He takes my hand and my attention with it.
“Just don’t stop loving me.”
“I’ll always love you.” I speak clearly, very aware of the moment and where we are. “But don’t hide anything from me. I can’t live like that again. And I don’t want to keep anything from you like I kept that secret.”
“I have a lot to tell you then.” He exhales the words. “Are you sure you want to know this?” he asks again and I just barely nod, giving him my consent to bring me into this place.
“It’s not an easy story to tell,” he admits to me and I already know he’s telling the truth. This world is cruel and unforgiving, just as lawless as it is tragic.
“I want to know.”
“Then let’s start with Carter’s story. Just promise me you’ll still love me after this?”
“You’re crazy to think I could ever not love you, Bastian. Today, tomorrow, forever.”
I stare into his eyes when I speak to him, making him feel the depths of my conviction. I love this man and all he is. All that matters is that he loves me the same and that we’ll be together.
The End