Page 88 of The Defender

I’d spent my whole life feeling like a background character in the movie of my own life.There, but insignificant. I could disappear, and the lives of those around me wouldn’t change in any major way.

I wasn’t arrogant enough to think I should be the main character everywhere I went. I didn’t need to be the center of everyone’s world. But just once, I’d like to be with someone who thought I was as important to them as they were to me.

Scarlett and Carina were the closest I’d gotten to that feeling of reciprocity. But Vincent was theonlyrelationship that felt truly equal.

When he showed concern, it was genuine.

When he said he wanted me there, I believed him.

And when he looked at me the way he was doing now, with dark heat and aching tenderness, I never wanted to look away.

My heart pounded loud enough to eclipse the thunder. Thunderstorms were rare at this time of the year, but I couldn’t deny what I heard.

A light drizzle misted over us, turning the streetlights into hazy orange glows.

I wanted to step into his warmth and finally give in to this pull between us. But before I did, I had to know. There was still one conversation we’d never had.

“That day at my flat. If the fire hadn’t happened, and my dad hadn’t shown up…” My voice sounded almost too breathy to be mine. “Would you have kissed me?”

CHAPTER 24

VINCENT

Would you have kissed me?

The question thrummed in my blood.

This was a conversation we should’ve had weeks ago. I’d kept pushing it aside, worried it would upset the balance in our relationship, but fuck it.

I was tired of pretending when all I wanted was her.

“Yes,” I said simply. There was no doubt in my mind.

If there had, it’d been wiped away when I saw her dancing with Noah—not because I believed they were attracted to each other, but because I’d been jealous anyway. Jealous of how close they were, of how he touched her and how he’d danced with her before I could.

It was irrational, but I was never rational when it came to Brooklyn. She was the only person in the world who could drive me out of my mind, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

She stared at me, her eyes glistening in the rain. “You would’ve kissed me even if it meant losing the bet?”

Her uncertainty made my heart clench. Competition was baked into our DNA, but after everything—the talks, thecomfort, this fucking trip—I was stunned she’d think I’d prioritize a stupid wager over her.

“Brooklyn.” I lowered my voice, my throat strained. “I’d lose every single fucking bet in the world if it meant I could be with you.”

Her breath audibly hitched. “You don’t really mean that.”

“No?” I took a step closer.

“No.” Her whisper was nearly inaudible. Her chest rose and fell in shallow spurts when I grasped her chin between my fingers and tilted it up.

I dipped my head until our faces were so close, I could count each droplet glittering at the ends of her lashes.

“I can prove it.”

BROOKLYN

That was the only warning I got before Vincent slanted his mouth over mine and kissed me.

My whole body ignited like a bundle of dry tinder waiting for a spark to set it ablaze. Heat flooded my chest, neck, and face, and I couldn’t stop a small moan from escaping as I pressed closer.