Page 106 of Kill for a Kiss

I melt against him. “But I love it when you fuss.”

He doesn’t respond out loud. He doesn’t stop touching me either. I lie there on Sterling’s chest, lulled by the rhythm of his heartbeat.

The world can wait. The fire’s mostly embers now, casting a faint amber glow that flickers across the walls.

The only sounds left are the groan of the cabin settling, wind weaving through the trees outside, and Stan’s snoring inside.

I smile into Sterling’s chest again.

His palm glides along my back beneath the blanket. “Comfortable?” he asks quietly.

I nod. “Too much to move.”

“Good,” he says. I think that’s all he’ll say, but he speaks after a moment. “I thought you might regret it. That it’d feel like too much too fast.”

I lift my head to see him in the dim light, his gaze already searching mine. “I don’t regret it,” I whisper. “Not even close.”

He fumbles for my hand, fingers clumsy until they find mine and hold tight. “I didn’t plan any of it.” His words sound rough. “Didn’t mean for it all to happen like that. But I didn’t hate it. I can’t when it makes you happy.”

I press my smile against his chest. “You worry too much, Sterling.”

“You don’t worry enough, Elle.”

That earns him a gentle pinch. He breathes out, nearly a laugh.

“I like seeing you like this,” he adds. “Letting go. Doing what you want.”

I smile even more. “It’s easier with you.”

He goes quiet again, but his hand moves to cradle the back of my head, fingers slipping into my hair. The hold is so gentle, it almost breaks me.

Outside, the wind kicks up. Inside, the fire hisses in response. Stan mumbles in his sleep, then rolls with enough force to rattle the headboard. Sterling and I both stifle a laugh.

“I like it when you laugh,” he murmurs.

“I like it when you try not to.”

I tip my head up to see him better. His eyes appear the way they always do when he’s close to letting something show. I want him to let it show.

He lifts a hand, cupping my cheek, thumb brushing the corner of my mouth. “You’re beautiful all the time. But even more when you’re happy.”

It takes all of me not to let tears rise in my eyes. Closing them, I’m quiet for a moment, because I don’t want to ruin the moment by saying too much. Words that would split me wide.

I love you, Sterling.I always will.

So instead, I rest a hand over his heart. His fingers settle against my cheek. We stay this way, in silence that feels like its own conversation. And then, slowly, I lean toward him. He meets me halfway.

Our kiss is unhurried and warm, as though we have all the time in the world. I wish we did. It already feels like we do. His hand cards through my hair. My lips part above his, and his mouth moves against mine in that slow, consuming way that makes the rest of the world disappear entirely. Time ceases to exist. Everything else disappears.

Eventually, when we pull apart, I smile, my wet eyes still closed, but I feel his heart beat with mine. We’re in perfect sync.

Sterling moves a bit, gently pulling the blanket up and over my body, even over my head.

I laugh quietly, cocooned in wool and warmth. “Still fussing?”

“Don’t want you cold.”

“I was already warm,” I murmur. “Thanks to you.”