“The door’s for you, babe.”
My brows pull together.For me?I’m not expecting anyone.
Pushing back from the table, I round the corner and freeze mid-step.
Journey is standing on the porch, his hands shoved deep into his jeans pockets. His jaw is dusted with more scruff than usual, and there are dark circles under his eyes like he hasn’t been sleeping.
“I know you wanted space,” he starts, his voice low and unsure. “But?—”
He’s here. I don’t even wait for him to finish talking. I take off running towards him, and leap into his arms. He catches me with a surprised grunt, his hands automatically going to support my weight as I wrap my legs around his waist and arms around his neck.
“I’m so sorry,” I say over and over against his neck. “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.”
His arms band tighter around me, squeezing me to his chest so tight I can barely breathe.
But I don’t care. I never want him to let me go again.
“Thank fuck,” he mutters against my hair. “I thought I was going to have to pull a Bane and kidnap your ass.”
A watery laugh escapes me. "What?” I pull back just enough to see his face, and run my fingers over the stubble on his jaw.
“Nothing.” He shakes his head as he turns around with me still clinging to him and walks back to his bike parked at the curb.
Over his shoulder, I catch a glimpse of the girls watching from the doorway, all wearing matching smiles. Stella gives me a thumbs up.
Journey pats my bottom. “Down you go, princess.”
I unlock my legs and slide down his body until my feet touch the ground, but I don’t step back. I can’t bear to put any distance between us.
He cradles my face in his callused hands, his thumbs brushing over my cheekbones. “Don’t leave me again.”
“Never again,” I vow. I don’t think I would survive.
His eyes search mine for a long beat before his mouth comes down on mine in a kiss so fierce it steals my breath.
God, I missed him so damn much.
When he finally pulls back, I’m dizzy with need.
“You ready?” he asks, dropping one more quick peck on my lips, before he climbs onto his bike and offers me his hand.
“Yeah. Where are we going?” I ask, placing my hand in his.
“Home.”
I climb on behind him and wrap my arms around his waist, pressing my face between his shoulder blades. I close my eyes and breathe him in.I’d go anywhere with him.
In the next moment, the rumble of the engine vibrates through me, and we’re tearing through the streets of Odin. The warm Florida air whips my hair around my face, and I hold onto Journey like he might disappear if I let go.
Too soon, he pulls up to the curb in front of my apartment and cuts the motor. “Why are we here?”
I’m reluctant to get off the bike, suddenly afraid of what awaits us inside. The last time I was here, someone tried to kill me, so I’m a little gun shy. Pun intended.
Journey slides off first and again holds out his hand. “Trust me.”
I hold his stare. I do trust him, I realize. With my life. With my heart.
“Okay.” I take his hand.
