“That world suffocated me. I don’t want masks anymore. Not from you.”
His breath stutters, his eyes locked on mine like he’s terrified to blink.
“Summer,” he whispers,“what are you saying?”
“I’m saying…” I swallow hard.“I’m tired of letting fear run my life. I’m tired of missing out on… people.”
“People?” he repeats, barely breathing.
“When they told me you were hurt,” I whisper,“all I could think was…I never told him. I never told him I loved him.”
Ethan goes still.
Completely, utterly still.
“You… love me?” he breathes.
“It terrifies me,” I whisper,“but you’re worth the fear. Even if loving you ends up shattering me, breaking me open in ways I can’t undo… you’d still be worth it. Fear has ruled my whole life. But the thought of losing you?” My voice trembles.“That scared me more than loving you ever could.”His face changes, like light finally broke through the smoke.
He moves closer, lips a breath from mine.
“You sure about this, Summer?” His voice is rough, trembling.“Because if I take this step… if I open this door… I’m never letting you go. Not ever. Even if you beg me. You’re not getting rid of me.”
I exhale, every fear dissolving into certainty.
“Good,” I whisper, brushing my lips against his.“Because I’m in love with you, Ethan Hawthorne.”
He doesn’t wait another second.
His mouth crashes onto mine.
The kiss is soft at first, his lips warm, tentative, then it deepens, pulling me under like a tide I’ve been fighting for toolong. His good arm wraps around my waist, pulling me flush to him as heat surges through my veins.
It feels like coming home to a place I never knew existed, but somehow I’ve been searching for all my life.
When he finally breaks the kiss, he leans his forehead against mine, breath unsteady, hand sliding gently to the back of my neck.
“I knew you’d taste good,” he whispers, voice low and raw,“but damn, Summer… these lips are addictive.”
Heat flares through me so fast it steals my breath.
Then, softly, reverently…
“I love you, Summer.”
And before I can speak, he pulls me into another kiss, deep, slow, toe-curling one that makes me forget the cold, the trees, the world.
One that feels like forever starting.
No one has ever made me feel so alive. Not until Ethan.
CHAPTER 19
Summer
Three days have passed since the fire, and Asher is still in a coma. Tonight is supposed to be my first date with Ethan, and I’m equal parts excited and terrified. I’m standing in front of my wardrobe, staring at a dozen outfits and hating all of them, when I hear tiny footsteps behind me.
“Mommy.”
