“No. No. Youbetrayedme.”
I’m already shaking my head. “No, Steph,” I say quietly. “Never.”
Her shoulders drop, defeated. “I saw you.”
“No. I never slept with her, baby.”
She rears back at my words. “Wh— what?”
“I never slept with that woman, Steph.” I watch her face as the words land. As she takes in what I’ve said. “She was in that room with Lucky,” I continue. “He left right before you showed up. I only let you believe it to drive you away. So you would finally move on and forget me. I knew you wouldn’t give up on me otherwise, but I had to let you go.”
She swipes at her tears, staring up at me through watery eyes. I’m not sure when it happened, but we’re standing a mere foot apart now, and this time when I reach for her, she doesn’t pull away. I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, then linger, running my thumb gently along her wet jaw. She sighs, her eyes closing at my touch.
“Even when I was caught up in my own shit and being a total jackass, I never strayed. Even when I was avoiding you and high all the time. I promise you, Steph. It didn’t happen. Do you believe me?”
Steph searches my face intently, and I will her to see it—to read the truth in my expression.
“I think …” she lets out a long breath, eyes continuing to roam over my face. “Yeah. I think I do.”
“It’s always been you,” I repeat quietly.
She lets her lids fall closed once more and nods. I bring my other hand up to frame her face, then lean in and press a soft kiss to her forehead before pulling her into a tight embrace. She tucks her face into my chest, her shoulders dropping and arms coming around me as a sigh escapes her lips, a soft puff of breath ghosting over my collarbones.
23
Steph
Weremain,wrappedineach other's arms, for a long while, just enjoying the contact, the comfort, for the first time in well over a decade. Despite the lives we've lived and the distance between us, it somehow feels like no time has passed at all—like I've never left the safety of his arms.
It feelsright.
Like coming home.
And with that thought, I realize … I don’t want to think anymore.
“I’m tired of fighting this,” I mumble againsthis chest.
Riley pulls back, holding me slightly away from his body so he can take in my face. Tears stain both of our cheeks.
"What was that?"
I swallow thickly, then repeat myself. “I said, ‘I’m tired of fighting this.’”
“This?” His eyes are hopeful as he searches my face.
“You. Us.” I nibble nervously on the corner of my lip, glancing out over the valley and lakes below before continuing. “I can’t resist you any longer.”
His fingers tighten on my arms. When I meet his eyes once more, they’re velvety soft and filled with emotion. His voice is low and gritty when he finally says, “Then don’t.”
“Please don’t hurt me again,” I whisper.
“Never,” he breathes, his gaze sliding over my body. Goosebumps rise on my skin, and a delicious shiver rolls down my spine. If you'd asked me yesterday, I would have said I hate how he still manages to elicit such a reaction from me after all this time. Today, though? It’s thrilling.
Iloveit.
“I’ve been waiting a long time to kiss you again, Steph. That night at Aroma’s doesn’t count, and I’m sorry for how I behaved,” he says gravely as his hands slide down to rest on my hips. Butterflies take flight in my stomach, and I fight the vulnerability that threatens to ruin this moment.
“Tell me to kiss you, Steph. Say it.”
