His steel eyes soften as he takes me in from head to toe, and without another thought, I pass my glass to Howey and launch myself into Gideon’s arms, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him for all I’m worth.
He catches me easily, those arms banding around me, and then his lips are at my ear.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, Rebel.”
“You’re here.” I can’t believe it. “Oh my God, you’rehere.”
We’re causing a scene, so I take his hand and pull him through the room and out the front door so we can talk outside, where there are no prying eyes.
“Wait, do I have to go back in there and kick that motherfucker’s ass?”
“Nah, I already did that.”
He smirks and frames my face, then presses his lips to mine again. This time, the kiss is slow and lazy, and when he licks into my mouth, I melt against him. My hands slide under his suit coat so I can feel the muscles over his dress shirt, and I moan.
“You never replied to me,” I say when we come up for air.
“I needed to say everything in person,” he replies, his voice gruff. “I had to get some shit in order. I needed to make sure that once I had you in my arms again, it was forever. Because the past two months have beenhell, Lena, and I can’t do it again. Not for one more day.”
“Thank God.” I lean my forehead against his chest as relief washes through me. “I thought, once you saw the messages, that you just weren’t interested and didn’t know how to tell me to go the fuck away.”
“No.” His hand goes to the back of my neck, and he tips my face up. “No, baby. Those messages were a lifeline. I found them just when I needed them the most, and I’m so grateful that you sent them.”
I lick my lips and take a deep breath.
“Okay, I want to keep freaking out that you’re here, and I want to take you to my place immediately and get naked, but first I have to go inside and talk to Kylie real quick.”
“We have time,” he assures me. “We should go in and enjoy this show, baby. Fuck, it’s amazing.”
“I won’t stay much longer.” I drag my hand down his tie, reveling in how solid, howreal, he feels under my touch. “Because Ineedto get you alone. Gideon—”
“I’m not leaving you,” he assures me. “I’m stuck to your side. Let’s go in and enjoy this night for you, and then we can talk.”
I nibble my bottom lip and then give him a nod, and he leads me back in. My detail is hanging back farther than they normally do, and I know it’s out of respect for Gideon and me.
I’m surprised to see that almost all the pieces havesoldtags on them.
“Holy shit,” I whisper, and Gideon presses his lips to my temple.
“You’re so fucking badass,” he says into my ear, making me grin and my heart fill with so much love, it’s brimming over. “I had no doubt that this would be the case.”
He’s here.
He’s with me.
And he’s mine.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Gideon
“Every single piece sold,” Lena says as we walk into her apartment. “I can’t believe it.”
Before she can say anything else, I spin her around and boost her up in my arms, pinning her against the door.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Rebel.” I nibble her neck, breathing in the oranges that I missed so fucking much.
Christ, she feels like heaven in my hands.
