Page 217 of The Storm

“I missed you,” he says softly. “All the time.”

I turn my head to the side so I can look at him. “I’m sorry I made us miss each other.”

There’s a softness in his expression, an open vulnerability I haven’t seen in so long. “Don’t,” he says. “No more regrets. We’ll learn from this. Do better.”

I smile. “Sounds like a plan.”

“It’s scary,” he admits quietly.

“Which part?”

“All of it. I know what it’s like to lose you now.”

I see the pain in his eyes. I hear it in his voice.

“It won’t happen again. Not if I have anything to say about it.”

He shakes his head. “You can’t make that promise and you know it.”

“Watch me,” I say vehemently.

And he laughs.

And hugs me tighter.

I mean it.

Because I know what it’s like to lose him too.

SIXTY-FOUR

INDY

I wakeup with a head of dark hair resting on my chest and hands clutching my waist on either side like he’s been trying to make sure I didn’t disappear during the night. I look at him, sleeping soundly, and my heart swells.

I lift my hand and gently card my fingers through his hair over and over again. Just because I can. Just because I’m finally allowed to.

Can I have it? Really? For real this time?

It still feels like a dream.

Like I’m suddenly nineteen again with butterflies in my stomach, desperately lovesick when I look at him. Except this is better. I’m not just daydreaming about Nick, I’m here with him, and this is my new reality.

There’s still that bite of fear underneath it all. Maybe, maybe, maybe things will still go wrong. But I push it down. I’m not going to let fear ruin this for us. Things are different now.We’redifferent.

And we’re going to do better this time.

I’m so deep in thought that I almost miss the way his fingers tighten on my waist. But I definitely don’t miss it when his head moves lower and he kisses my stomach.

I squirm and laugh, tugging his hair gently.

“It’s too early to think deep thoughts,” he says when he looks up.

“You’re in luck, then. My thoughts are pretty shallow right now.”

My eyes track the curve of his back and the swell of his ass. His strong thighs. My cock plumps the longer I look.

“Shallow or dirty?” he asks with a knowing smile.