Chapter 19 #2
Serena’s lips scrunched into a pucker. “You don’t know Dani like I do.” Her thumb stroked his knuckle. He lifted their hands to place a kiss on her wrist. “She’s in a vulnerable position right now, and they share something deep and familiar.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“For Dani it is. Once reality hits her tomorrow, she’ll remember everything that separated them.” A long, low sigh followed her words. He pulled into his driveway. “Let’s not talk about them right now. I just want to shower and rest.”
She led him into the house, and a flicker of amusement hit him. They’d spent less than three days together, yet he couldn’t imagine walking into this house without her presence attached to it. Serena made her way upstairs and Milo traveled in her wake.
Hell, he hadn’t even asked her if she wanted to stay at his place—it hadn’t even crossed his mind that she might want to go home.
This is her home . . .
He scrubbed his palm over his gritty eyes. God, he was losing his mind. He wasn’t the type to overanalyze situations, but he didn’t want to fuck things up with her. Not again. He sat on the bed and tugged off his socks while Serena entered the master bathroom.
He glanced at the bedding, rumpled from their lovemaking earlier. Lovemaking. Christ almighty, he was either exhausted beyond comprehension or he was in a bad way over Serena. He had to do it. He had to hear from her lips what she wanted.
That she wanted him.
She’d forgiven him and told him not to leave her again.
What did that mean? Shit, what if she just wanted to be friends?
That hadn’t even fucking occurred to him.
Nope. He wasn’t getting drop-kicked into the friend zone, and if he didn’t make his intentions clear, that could happen too damn easily.
He shucked off his clothes and stormed into the bathroom.
Steam clouded the mirror. He cracked open the glass door and she squeaked and slapped her hands to her chest. Her eyes flew to his.
“You scared me,” she said, accusation lacing her words. He smiled and stepped under the water with her. She inched backward, allowing him space.
“Sorry. We need to talk.”
She let the water pool in her cupped palms and splashed the puddle onto her cheeks. Her strawberry colored nipples thrust forward when she lowered her hands, and a twinge of need strummed inside his balls. “What about?”
“Us.” He didn’t miss a beat.
Her eyes snapped open. “What about us?” Her voice shook, and he didn’t want to explore the possibilities of what could have her uneasy.
“You said you forgave me.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Her mouth opened and closed, and her gaze darted around the tiled cubicle. “Uh, because . . .”
He lifted his eyebrows and crossed his arms in front of his chest, even though all he wanted to do was touch her delicious, glistening skin.
Nope. He wouldn’t give into the temptation until he had her confirmation.
He needed to know the reason for her forgiveness.
Did she forgive him just because he’d come to her aid to rescue Dani?
If that was the case, he didn’t want her forgiveness.
“Because why?” He was pushing her, but dammit, he wasn’t going to beat around the bush. They’d wasted enough time already.
Her tongue peeked out between her teeth and her gaze crawled up to meet his eyes.
“Because I love you, Milo.”
His pulse beat a steady rhythm against his breastbone and his heart burst open. He caught her elbows in his hands and towed her closer until their bodies touched. Warmth exploded on his skin, and it didn’t have a thing to do with the hundred-and-fifty-degree shower they stood in.
“Yeah?”
She puckered her lips and shrugged. “Yeah, well. History and all that.” She waved her hand in the air.
Milo let loose the smile that had been tugging at his lips, and a deep laugh grated from his throat. Her knee brushed against his inner thigh, and desire shot all the way to his dick. He let his hands roam over her shoulders and down the sleek arch of her back to her full, tantalizing ass.
He cupped her cheeks in his palms and drew the length of her body against his. “I love you too.” His throat tightened on the admission but screw it. He’d never be anything but honest with her now. She dipped her chin, but he caught it with the crook of his finger.
“I want to be with you, babe. Forever. Stay here with me.”
She laughed and dashed the moisture from her eyes with her fingertips, but the spray continued to dot her cheeks. “Maybe we should get some sleep. You’re not thinking clearly—”
“No. There’s nothing to think about. All this time I knew I fucked up. Seeing you in person reminded me of the mistakes I’ve made. I love you, Serena.” He’d repeat it a thousand times if she’d let him. “I never stopped.”
Slowly, the humor fell away from the delicate lines of her face, leaving her exposed to him. “Neither have I, Milo.” She lifted her hand over her shoulder to finger her shoulder blade. “Remember my tattoo?”
He brought his hand to settle beneath hers, and she twisted so her back was visible. He narrowed his eyes and read the tiny words that he hadn’t been close enough to make out before.
It’s more than a feeling . . .
A music note followed the ellipses. Bursts of emotion clustered in his chest. He trailed his thumb over the words.
The 1970s hit “More Than a Feeling” played in his head, careening him back to the past. To simpler times.
Lying in the grass, the stars rolled out above them.
Her hand in his, always her hand in his.
“It’s our song,” he said. The words floated from his lips.