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That needed to stop. “Do you regret last night?”
She froze in my arms.
Shit.
She did.
Tris threw a leg over me and settled her knees by my hips. So much for standing and going to make breakfast. I settled backagainst the bed, leaning away, unsure what to say. Her hands flew up and clutched at my face. “No, oh my God. No, Killian.”
It was suddenly easier to breathe.
“Doyouregret anything?” she asked, a slight waver to her voice.
“No. Never.” There would never be a time I didn’t want her. Not just physically, but all of her. Mind, body, and soul.
Tris let out a satisfied hum. “I’m sorry I was being an idiot again. I guess part of me was still stuck on whether this is real between us … ”
“Why would you doubt me?”
“I … ” She paused. “I think for so long I thought I was the problem. That guys didn’t like me, for well, me. And—this was supposed to be fake.”
Then she smiled. A real one. Full of confidence.
I couldn’t be fucking happier if my next song was certified platinum.
“I’m sorry, Killian. After my mini-freak out last night, and my instant misunderstanding this morning, you handled both perfectly. I let my anxiety override my common sense. And I’m done doing that.”
“Good. And no need to apologize.” It was imperative she knew—and believed—I loved her just the way she was. “I’ll always reassure you if it happens again. We all have our wounds, our demons. The things that make us second-guess when things are going right and whether we deserve them.”
“How did you get to be such a perfect book boyfriend?”
I smiled. “I have been reading those romance books you like so much. Maybe that’s it.”
“I think they could take notes from you.” She leaned up to press her lips softly to mine. The gentle kiss stirred a warmth inside my chest so strong I was sure my heart grew three fucking sizes. “While I regret it took me so long to see you, Killian, Ineed you to know that I see you now.Reallysee you. All of you. And there’s no other place I’d rather be, and no other person I’d rather be with.”
Before I could respond, her lips captured mine again, hands cupping my face gently like I was a piece of glass and rubbing at my scruff.
“Tink,” I moaned, pulling back.
“You okay?” she asked, concern evident in her worried tone.
“Yeah, I’ve just … Never better. I’ve waited so long for this moment. I need a second to breathe. To take it all in.”
This was everything I’d ever wanted. The life I’d imagined with her. I needed a moment to treasure it, appreciate it, and sear it deep into my heart.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
TRISSA
Iwas in Killian’s bed.
He rested his forehead against mine. The air zinged with electricity between us. When he leaned back, his eyes were wild with desire, and something tender and sweet.
Something that looked an awful lot like …
Love.
Holy shit.