Page 3 of The Last Kiss

I push my face into his chest, the cotton of his shirt, desperately trying to inhale that spice that seems to cling to him. “I’m so glad I met you.”

Using the tip of his finger he makes me look up. “Even though you fought me the whole way, ma petite fleur?” One of his dark brows arches. His teasing look. God, I love that look too.

I love all his looks.

Can’t believe that I won’t get to see any of them again. Can’t believe that my stupid heart is going to fail, and no replacement can be found. Right when I want to…

Want to…

“Tell me what you’ll miss the most?” I ask the buttons on his shirt.

Henri tightens his arms, and I could just melt right now. Become a puddle of chocolate ice cream against his sugar spun wafer. “You in black lace.”

Ah, the lace.

His hands on my thighs, riding silk and lace across skin that didn’t know it could be adored the way he did it.

“Just the lace?”

“Burnt pancakes. Coffee at midnight. Eurostar. Always wanting to find you and never knowing where I would see you again. Sand. Candy floss. Amber perfume on your skin.”

Right now, in this very moment at the end of everything I am adored.

“I love you,” I say.

“And I love you.”

I look up, blinking against everything that could have been. “Henri, you have to keep this promise.”

“What promise?”

“The one you’re going to make now.”

His face slips back to that beautiful shadow where the storm in his eyes brings rain and sun.

“Hold me until I sleep and then leave.”

Henri shakes his head, lips pressing into a firm line. “No.”

“I want you to. Remember me with lace and amber. Candy floss and laughter. Not a corpse who lies in your arms.”

“Ma pe—” another shake of his head, “Julianna, they still might find a match.”

Aw, he’s so damn cute. Stupid big hulk of a man.

“Hold me until I sleep.” I snuggle down, ignoring the beep of the machine as it shouts in dismay at my moving the tubes in my arm and airways.

Tears roll from his lashes and absorb into my skin.

My time is nearly up.

Every breath.

Every stuttered beat of my heart takes me one moment closer to the end. I’m so tired now. So drained. Energy is like treacle, moving too slow through my veins. Slug. Slug. Slug.

God, if you are there…

Thank you for bringing me the greatest gift I ever could have hoped for.