I kiss her.
Hard.
Like I’ve been holding it back for too long.
Like I don’t know if I’ll get another chance.
Her hands grip tighter.
She kisses me back just as fiercely, just as desperate—
And it’s not soft.
It’s not careful.
It’s everything we’ve been holding in.
Fear.
Relief.
Need.
All of it crashing together at once.
I back her up a step without breaking the kiss—
Then another—
Until her back hits the wall just inside the doorway.
My hands slide to her waist, pulling her closer, needing to feel that she’s real—
That she’s here—
That I didn’t lose her tonight.
“Ace—” she breathes against my mouth.
I don’t stop.
Can’t.
Not when she’s right here.
Not when she’s choosing me.
Not when everything in me is still running hot from the fight.
My forehead presses to hers for a second—
Both of us breathing hard—
Right on the edge of something more.
Something deeper.
Something we’re not coming back from.
