Page 22 of Illicit Games

“Three years, Iris,” he growls accusingly, sounding pained. “You made me wait three goddamn years to have you. One thousand and ninety-five days that we could’ve spent together. All that time was just lost.”

“You’re not mad,” I repeat in a whisper, for my ears. Overwhelming joy makes my breath hitch, and I say louder, “You’re not mad.”

In the next second, I’m bursting into tears from pure rapture and solace.

“Fuck, baby,” he coos, licking my tears away and peppering my face with kisses. “I’m not angry.”

“I thought you’d think I’m crazy and kick me out.”

“Kick you out?” An aghast expression turns his features to stone. “Why? For craving me so deeply that you were willingly sacrificing your future for a chance to be mine? For taking a risk on me without ever having met me? The truth changes nothing, my precious little stalker. If you’re crazy, then so am I. Because I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

“You sure? ‘Cause you can’t change your mind later.”

“I’d be a fool to let go of the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Capturing his face between my palms, I seal my lips with his and kiss him earnestly. Pulling back, I rasp, “The reality of you is better than all the dreams I had about you. My only regret is not having the courage to tell you sooner. I was scared I’ll lose you. I thought that if you knew the truth, you’ll never trust me again.”

“Was this the reason you thought Nathan would tear us apart?”

I nod, wishing I wasn’t so gullible, letting Nathan put doubts inside my head. Perhaps Kian will understand the other secret I’m hiding too, which I can’t confess unless the person is caught.

Kian’s features soften, attuned to my sadness. “He failed because it did the opposite, Rainbow. I love how you’re as down bad for me as I am for you.”

“I’m drawn to you in an unexplainable way, like my soul calls to yours. I saw you for the first time and knew I was meant to be yours. The pull I felt toward you became a constant. You consumed my mind. I didn’t know what to call this connection back then, but I do now. You’re my soulmate, Kian, and I won’t survive losing you.”

A shudder goes through him, his grip becomes crushing.

In the next breath, he sets my soul on fire.

“I was living in a black-and-white prison of my own making. You freed me, Rainbow. You’re every color, every dream, every emotion I didn’t know I was missing.” Resting his forehead to mine, he runs a knuckle along my jaw, whispering, “Now, I can’t imagine a life without it. So, yes, I won’t survive without you either.”

Our lips lock in a heady kiss.

Two pieces fitting together in an unbreakable bond.

Because Kian doesn’t justknowmy deepest, darkest secret, he’s downrightferalabout it. His acceptance is like gasoline on the fire of my years of lusting after him.

Pushing off the wall, he carries us to the couch without breaking the ravaging kiss. Plopping down in the middle once more, he rips his mouth away and grumbles, “I am still furious with you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re a terrible stalker.”

“Stop saying that!”

Twisting my arms behind my back, his teeth nip punishingly on my lower lip. “Stalkers leave signs, or trails, so the stalkee knows they’re being watched. You never once left anything for me. A sign, a note, nothing. I could’ve made you mine sooner and not spent the last three years without you.”

“That’s what you have a problem with?”

“Yes.”

“Unbelievable.”

“Stalkers stay in the shadows, but they make their presence known in some way. You never did, my little Rainbow.”

“Are you seriously upset I didn’t stalk you good enough? That it wasn’t up to your standards?”

“Yes. If I had seen you first, I would’ve stalked you too.”