Page 67 of Runaway Road (Runaway 1)

We didn’t fill the hours on the rock with conversation or questions—there wasn’t much more to say. The light faded and my eyelids drooped, but I couldn’t find the strength to leave. Brooks didn’t seem to want to leave our spot either. Our spot. God, I hoped he never let another woman kiss him on this rock.

We sat there until the blue sky darkened and the white crescent moon peeked out from behind the trees on the horizon.

“There’s a star.” He pointed above us. “Make a wish.”

I closed my eyes, sending my wish to the galaxy, knowing this one wouldn’t come true. “Done.”

“Did you make it a good one?”

I found his hand between us. “I wished you would come with me. I can tell you that because I know it won’t come true. But I wished it anyway.”

His other hand came to his heart, his eyes clouded with sadness. “In a different life, I’d drive around the world with you in that Cadillac.”

But he had a son. He had a business and a life in Summers. And the reality was, I needed to take this trip alone. The only person who could guide me back to me was myself.

“This has been the best week of my life,” I whispered. “Thank you. I’ll never forget you.”

“Same, honey.” He cupped my cheek. “Same.”

A tear dripped free and he caught it with his thumb. I sucked in a deep breath and began putting the containers into the basket, busying my hands and mind before I gave into the damn cry that wouldn’t stay buried.

I was sniffling, snapping the lid on a container, when Brooks took it from my hands and dropped it in the basket. Then he took my face in his hands and brought his lips to mine, kissing away the sadness.

My arms snaked around his shoulders as his arms banded around my back, pulling me into his chest as we clutched one another.

The picnic basket was forgotten on the rock as Brooks and I fumbled our way to his house. We left a trail of clothes on the way to his room upstairs, breaking the kiss only to shed our shirts. When we reached his bed, my heart was racing and my body aching.

Brooks laid me down, covering me with his weight. His arms bracketed my face and his hips rested against my own. His cock was hard and thick between us as it nestled against my core.

We stilled. Our eyes locked. Our breaths mixed. His heartbeat drummed in the same thundering rhythm as my own.

“Don’t forget me,” I whispered. I’d been forgotten by too many people. I couldn’t bear the idea of Brooks forgetting me too.

“I’ll remember you until the end, Londyn.” Brooks ran his knuckles along my cheek, leaving a trail of sparks on my skin. “Until the end.”

I rose up and fused our mouths, giving him everything I had and trusting him with all my broken pieces.

Maybe he would forget me. Maybe time would dull his memories or disease would steal them away. But I hoped this kiss would remain.

I was falling for Brooks. I poured it into the kiss. If we had a month more or a year, he’d own my heart.

Brooks, this home and his family were enticing. What if I stayed? I’d have a home, a conventional, warm home, for the first time.

Not even Thomas had given me a home. We’d been two single pieces paired together for a while, but it hadn’t made either of us whole. Brooks had the entire package. He was the corner to a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle that created one stunning picture.

Staying was enticing. But the nagging feeling in my gut wouldn’t go away, no matter how many times I kissed Brooks. No matter how many times I closed my eyes and pictured myself living here.

The puzzle was built. There weren’t any spaces for me to fill.

So I kept my eyes closed and savored the feel of his hands roaming across my skin, pretending this wasn’t the last night. I pretended this was every night.

His kiss drifted down my neck and to the swell of my breast. Brooks tickled a nipple with his stubble before covering it with his mouth, rolling it over his tongue until he moved to do the same with the other.

My fingers wove through the golden strands of his hair, pulling him up to my lips once more. I let go with one hand and stretched for the end table drawer where he kept his stash of condoms.

He grinned when I handed it to him. “In a rush?”

“For you? Always.” I smiled, waiting as he covered and positioned himself at my entrance. With a swift thrust, he stole my breath, filling me completely.