CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT #2
I wanted him to see me. Really see me. I cupped his face in both hands and kissed him. Even if everything fell apart tomorrow, even if I never made it back, I would have that.
That moment.
“I’m sure.”
I grabbed his hand, guiding him towards the bed, sat down at the edge, tugging him with me, kissing him again before he could even catch his balance. He stumbled a little, bracing himself awkwardly with his hands on either side of me.
“You’re beautiful,” he said.
I couldn’t help but blush, and locked my lips on his before he could say anything else.
His hands found my face, my neck, then the curve of my waist. I pushed his shirt off his shoulders, impatient, and he yanked it the rest of the way off.
My palms skimmed down his chest, over the hard muscles of his stomach.
I found the button of his trousers, and he helped me shove them down. They hit the floor with a soft thud.
He was gorgeous.
All of him.
And he was mine.
When he leaned over me, I hooked my legs around his waist, pulling him closer, pushing him against me.
Will let out a sound, half a gasp, half a groan, and shifted his hips, finding me.
I gasped, my back arching off the mattress, nails biting into his shoulders.
The sheets were soft against my skin as his lips found my neck, my collarbone, my mouth again, slower, as if he wanted to savor every part of me.
I arched into him. I couldn’t stop myself. Didn’t want to. He moved deeper, the rhythm finding us, slow at first, then building. Each thrust crashing through me like waves against stone.
Relentless. Steady. A tide I didn’t want to escape from.
My nails raked down his back and he moaned, sinking into me.
“I love you,” he breathed.
The words fell apart in my mouth as I said them back.
My legs wrapped tighter around his waist, pulling him closer as I was unraveling. Coming apart under him. With him.
He groaned against my mouth, his hips rolling into me fast and deep, and I swear I saw stars.
I cried out. Couldn’t help it. And he swallowed the sound with his mouth. The way he looked at me told me that nothing would ever be the same. And for the first time in my life, I didn’t want it to. Because I didn’t feel broken anymore.
I was whole. I was his. And he was mine.
───── ????? ─────
Will’s head was in my lap, his hair slipping through my fingers as I twirled a strand around and around. It had finally gotten long enough for me to do that.
I had stayed up most of the night, watching him sleep.
He looked so beautiful in sleep it almost hurt.
I might have dozed off too if I wasn’t so scared.
Scared of letting go, scared of burning the world down if I fell asleep without the moon drops.
The moon drops that were in my room, and I wasn’t leaving his.
The sun was starting to move higher in the sky, filling the room with a soft, golden light.
The ocean shimmered just outside the window, the glare of it almost blinding in the morning light.
I stayed perfectly still, and every part of me wanted to stay in the bed, in that room, in that version of the world, where there was only Will, and warmth, and the way his fingers had curled into my thigh in sleep.
But time was moving again.
I wondered if Aran had gotten back yet. If the plan had worked.
If Kalani was still asleep. If everything outside the room was already beginning to shift.
Will shifted slightly in my lap, a soft sound escaping him, but he didn’t wake.
I smiled to myself, gently stroking his cheek, feeling the weight of him there, real and warm and mine.
And then, his voice, low and rough with sleep: “I’ve never said that to anyone before.”
“Said what?” I asked.
Then, so quiet it almost wasn’t there, “I love you.”
”That’s what you’re thinking about?” I laughed softly.
Will gave a small, breathless chuckle.
“Yeah,” he said, without even opening his eyes. “I’m thinking about you.”
───── ????? ─────
I followed Will into the breakfast room, my cheeks still burning and my heart hammering way too fast. The way the morning sun poured through the windows made it impossible to pretend that last night hadn’t happened.
Not that I wanted to.
I just wished it wasn’t so obvious.
Kalani was already there, half-curled up with a cup of tea, looking sleep-rumpled but sharp-eyed. She caught sight of me and Will, and raised one perfect eyebrow. Aran sat across from her, nursing a coffee and wearing a grin so wide it should have been illegal.
Will brushed his fingers against mine as we passed, a tiny grounding touch. But it didn’t stop the way my whole body felt like it was vibrating with nerves.
“Morning,” Will said casually, sliding into the chair beside Aran.
Kalani smirked into her tea. And Aran, of course, didn’t waste a second.
“Someone had a good night’s sleep,” he said, winking right at me.
I choked at his words.
“Kalani told me you didn’t make it back,” he said, eyes gleaming. “I figured you must’ve had an accident.”
I blinked. “What? No! Why—?”
He leaned in, grin widening. “How else do you explain falling into his bed?" His voice dripped with mock seriousness. "You must have tripped. Hit your head.” Then he lost it, laughing so hard he nearly spilled his coffee.
Will, already red, stood up so fast his chair screeched back. “I’m getting juice,” he muttered, fleeing toward the buffet.
I buried my face in my hands.
“I’m sorry, Kalani,” I blurted. “I didn’t mean to leave you hanging.”
“Relax. We’re just happy for you,” she said.
“Speak for yourself,” Aran choked out. “I’m traumatized.”
Kalani sipped her tea, eyes twinkling. “Don’t worry about it. You needed that. And Aran was off playing with his new 'friends' at the club anyways.”
Aran snorted. “Yeah. Friends. Sure.” He raised his mug in a mock toast. “Phase one’s done. I'm officially in debt. Got to ‘settle it’ tonight.”
My stomach twisted. It was real. It was happening.
“So. Are you two a thing now?” Aran said, changing the topic.
“I… don’t know?” I said.
Aran, of course, wasn’t done. “If he ever hurts you—“
“Aran!” I squeaked.
He shrugged innocently. “What? I’m just saying. I’m surprised it took him this long anyway,”
He leaned closer, voice dropping. “Did you know that he called dibs on you the first day you met?”
I chuckled. “Wait. Seriously? You can’t call dibs on a person!”
“THAT’S WHAT I SAID!” Aran slapped the table, making Kalani snort tea up her nose.
I laughed so hard it hurt, and it felt good to laugh again. Really laugh again.
Will dropped back into his chair with a plate of food and a glass of orange juice, shooting Aran a murderous look.
I nudged him, still grinning.
“Is it true?” I asked, all wide-eyed.
Will’s glare sharpened. “What did he tell you?”
“That you called dibs on me the first time we met?”
Will looked like he wanted to die.
Aran, meanwhile, was thriving. “It’s adorable. Don’t be shy, man.”
“You were so cute back then,” I said without thinking.
Aran gasped. “SHE SAID WERE! SHE SAID WERE!”
Kalani lost it, coughing into her tea and laughing so hard she doubled over.
Will just groaned into his hands. “Why are you like this?”
Then Aran voice softened a little. “I’m happy for you guys. Really.”
Will muttered a shy, “Thanks,” under his breath.
“So, Kera… are we still doing this?” Aran asked. “Any chance you’ve changed your mind?”
The smile slipped right off my face, and I straightened a little, feeling the weight of what was coming settle back onto my shoulders.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I have to. And I know you guys don't like it, but I can't just leave Licia there.”
Will's hand found mine under the table.
“Just... be careful,” he said. ”I'll be there tomorrow. You’ll stay safe, right? Burn those fuckers if you need to.”
Despite everything, a small smile tugged at my mouth. I met all of their eyes, feeling the stubborn fire light inside me again.
"I will,” I said, my voice quiet but sure.
Will's gaze locked onto mine.
“I can't lose you again. Alright? I can’t.”
“You won’t.”
Across from us, Aran was sitting with the most exaggerated look plastered across his face. "Aww, you two are adorable," he said sweetly, batting his lashes in mock adoration. “Let’s just hope we don’t all die. That would be such a bummer.”