Page 27 of Blitz

“What would that… look like?”

I’m trying really hard to hold onto my anger. Faced with everything I’ve ever wanted… well, I’ve never been able to say no to her.

“That’s up to you. We can take it slow, as slowly as you need.” She chews on her thumbnail. “I know I hurt you. All I can say is that I did what I thought was right—for both of us. It was a long time ago.”

That old familiar hurt rises up again. I rub idly at my chest. It doesn’t help the itchy feeling deep inside me.

“We could have made a go of it,” I tell her. “The distance wouldn’t have broken us.”

“It would have broken me,” she says. Pain creases her face. “I was insecure, and I let my fears get the best of me. I couldn’t stand the thought of you being here all by yourself, surrounded by all these hot girls throwing themselves at you and—”

I let out a bark of laughter. “You vastly overestimate the popularity of football players at this school.”

“Girls used to throw themselves at you all the time in high school.”

“Yeah, and I turned them down. Why would I be interested in some stranger when I already had the prettiest girl in school on my arm?” I scratch at my beard as I meet her eye. “I’ve never been interested in hooking up. I’m not about that lifestyle. You know that.”

“You could have any girl you wanted.”

“Yeah, and all I wanted was you.”

It comes out harsher than I intended. Mason blinks and leans back.

“So clearly we have some unresolved issues…”

I snort out a breath of bitter laughter. “You think?”

“But I want to be with you,” she says quietly. She swallows. “And if you still want to be with me…”

“I don’t know what I want,” I admit, and it might be the most honest lie I’ve ever told.

“Let’s try it. We can try again.”

“What does that mean?” I don’t want to get my hopes up. I don’t want to get her back in my arms only for her to disappear all over again.

“That’s up to you. We’ll take this as slow or as fast as you want.”

I swallow. She’s across the table from me. That’s way too far away.

Shoving back my chair, I round the table and drop to a crouch in front of her. She bites her lip, and I reach out and tug on it.

“Only I get to bite this,” I tell her seriously. “It’s mine now.”

“All—all yours.” Her eyes are wide, unblinking, laser focused on mine.

I have to check. “You really have feelings for me?”

I need her to tell me. This isn’t some trick? There isn’t a camera crew lurking in the shadows ready to capture my humiliation? There aren’t crowds of people gathered to laugh at my heartbreak?

“I—I think I always have,” Mason says slowly. “I didn’t want to. I couldn’t help it. I love—”

Threading my hands through her hair, I bring my mouth to hers, parting her lips with my own. I swallow her gasp and deepen the kiss. Her hands slide up my upper arms and shoulders to lock behind my neck, holding me to her as her tongue comes out to meet mine.

Exhilaration rushes through me. It’s just as good as the first time, and the last time, and every time in between.

She pulls away and rests her forehead against mine.

“Damn, Tucker,” she says, licking her lips. “I guess we’ve still got that chemistry.”