Page 151 of Revenge Reads Better

These past two weeks must have been hell for him. Watching me fall apart without ever knowing why. Knowing something happened to me but being left to imagine the worst.

There’s so much worry etched across his face. So much helplessness that all I want to do is give him some of the peace he’s managed to give me.

I pull his hands away from my face and thread my fingers through his.

“It’s our last night together. My father will be home tomorrow.” I give his hands a gentle squeeze. “Let’s not waste it talking about things that don’t matter anymore.”

Before he can argue, I start walking backward, pulling him with me toward my side of the street.

Milo lets go of one of my hands just long enough to close the passenger door of his truck, and lock it, before following me up the steps.

He doesn’t say anything as I lead him inside and up the stairs to my room. He barely even seems to breathe when we enter.

I sit on the edge of my bed and glance at the empty space beside me, hoping he understands the silent invitation.

I watch his throat bob as he swallows, his chest rising and falling with breaths that come a little too fast. He takes a seat while trying so hard to keep himself in check, but his body is giving him away.

We both just stare at our entwined hands as I softly run my fingers through his.

“I’d do anything for you, Max,” he rasps after a pregnant pause, his voice low and gravelly.

“Anything?” I whisper as I meet his stare.

Those beautiful brown eyes stare back at me with such devotion that I’m almost positive this is the moment I give him my heart.

Though I know that’s a lie.

Milo Fletcher has had my heart since before I even knew what love meant.

“Kiss me.”

His hand slides softly over my cheek and into my hair, his gaze never wavering from mine.

“Are you sure?”

I nod. “Kiss me, Milo. Please.”

He doesn’t wait for me to ask again, his lips instantly finding mine. His kiss is soft and tender, so gentle that I think he’s worried any sudden movement might break me.

But I’ve already been broken.

Milo’s kiss is the only thing that can put me back together.

I wrap my arms around his neck, running my fingers through his dark curls and giving them a little tug, just to show him that I’m not as fragile as he thinks. I smile into our kiss when he lets out a small moan, my hands moving away from his locks and sliding down to his shoulders to pull off his jacket.

Milo helps me take it off, never once pulling his lips from mine. I drop it to the floor as he uses his deft fingers to remove my jacket. I kick off my Chucks, and he does the same with his sneakers. I only pull away from his soft kiss to slowly climb up my bed, reaching my arms out for him. He just stares at me for a moment, a look of utter awe written all over his face.

“Are you coming?” I ask with a nervous giggle.

He swallows hard before crawling up beside me, then gently caresses my cheek, his arm resting over my stomach.

“Am I dreaming right now?” he whispers.

“If you are, then so am I,” I whisper back.

“Then don’t wake me up. This is exactly where I’m meant to be,” he says before his lips fall on mine again.

This time, there’s no hesitation in his kiss. The uncertainty from a few minutes ago is gone, replaced by a confidence that sends my heart hammering against its cage. My body relaxes against the mattress, enveloped by his honeysuckle scent and his strong arms. My hands clutch at the hem of his T-shirt as something dormant inside me slowly comes back to life.