Page 119 of To Bring You Back

“I thought you’d never ask.” He nudged her chin, tilting her face toward his. For once, his eyes couldn’t captivate her attention. His breath was warm on her cheek, and a smile pulled at his lips. “Tell me now you just want to be friends, and I’ll believe you.”

She held her silence, closed her eyes, and inhaled his scent. Sandalwood.

He kissed the corner of her mouth, gentle.

Was he really waiting for her to reply?

“I want so much more than that.”

He shifted, arms tightening around her. His mouth found hers. She lost track of everything else until he pulled back.

Then she found she’d moved her palm to the center of his chest. His breathing had picked up, rolling in and out like waves. His thumb was on her cheek, his hand resting on the side of her neck, the other arm still snug around her waist. He kissed her forehead and sighed.

There it was, discernible under the exhale. His heartbeat. Fast and strong.

She snuggled her head against him, listening to distinguish the sound of her heartbeat from his. “So this is what it is to live with the living.”

“Is it worth it? All the time and trouble to get here?”

“Yes.” She angled to see his expression. “And you? Is this worth the time and trouble?”

“I’d play my part again one hundred times over.” He ran his fingers from her temple to her jaw and stole another kiss. “Whatever it took to bring you back.”

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,

O God of my salvation,

and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;

you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Psalm 51:14-17, ESV