Page 105 of The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter

He shook it off, the small golden sun crunching beneath his feet as he winked out of existence.

Present Day

Savannah, June

Thirty-Four

I’m finally at the end of it all. Someone else knows my story.

Sebastian hands me a tissue, and I dry my eyes.

“Before I say anything else ...” He lowers his head to make certain I’m looking into his eyes. “I think you are incredible. The most incredible person I’ve ever met. The most incredible person to ever exist. I don’t know how you went through what you did, and you’re still standing.”

“Barely,” I whisper. “I’m here, but at what cost?”

He shakes his head. “You’re still here. I’m grateful. All of humanity should be.”

I nod and rest my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, steady and soothing.

“And to think, you’re able to keep going like this. It’s remarkable.”

It’s the only part Sebastian doesn’t know. That I’ve already made my mind up. There’s no need to tell him. It’s only for another day. I should be kind and let him enjoy it.

“Let’s not talk anymore,” I say, sitting up, facing him. If I only have one more day, I want to spend it next to him.

I can remember his touch as his gaze drops to my lips. “Are you sure?” The tension peaks between us again, and he waits for my lead even now.

“I’ve never been surer about anything.”

He stands, bringing me with him in one motion. I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing closer as he carries me out of the room and up the steps. He’s in no hurry, but I am. After all that talk, I want to feel.

He sits me on the edge of the bed. I slip out of my dress and sit naked before him, the air-conditioning cool on my fevered skin. His eyes trace the lines of my body, taking in every detail. I relish the attention, being fully seen one last time.

“No more talking,” I say, leaning forward.

He nods and stands between my legs, and I reach up, untying the string on his sweatpants. I tug the waistband down, tug on his shirt until he’s as naked as I am.

There’s no shyness. No hesitation. This man knows everything there is to know about me. And I’m not about to wait a second longer. He kisses me on my lips before grinning as he settles comfortably between my thighs, pinning me to the mattress. This is different from our first time together, mainly because we’re in a bed. Everything feels slower, like the drizzle of thick honey. He feels like sweet release as he makes sure I reach my pleasure first.

When I’m finished, I sit up and kiss him long and slow. “More.”

He braces himself above me, hands tangled in my hair as he kisses the heart-shaped birthmark on my collarbone. I run my hands up and down his back, pressing him closer. No matter how I move, we fit together.

I draw my legs up on either side of his hips. He shudders from the deliciously slow way he inches inside me. It’s a perfect fit, almost like he was made for me. He meets me move for move as his hand finds my face, caressing.

“Oh, Sebastian.”

“Shh,” he says, grinning. “You said no talking.”

And there is no more talking, just our bodies coming together as I pull him to me, grinding to meet him upon every thrust.

I go over the edge again, this time taking him with me.

We lie together afterward, and everything is right and wrong all at the same time. As good as it was, I already know how bad it will be when I lose this. I will be less than dust.

That strengthens my resolve.

I wait until I hear his breath even out, a pleasant ache running through my body.