Page 40 of Secrets

I drag my teeth over my bottom lip to keep my smile from being creepily massive and act before I talk myself out of it.

Stepping forward, I grip her free hand—only now noticing a plant in the other—and bring it to my lips.

My eyes stay connected with hers as I press a kiss against her knuckles. Her lashes lower before she tips her head back almost as though in challenge. The act, while so subtle and minute, makes my entire body tingle.

Despite not wanting to, I force myself to release her hand and step back, opening the door wider. “Hey, Red.”

Elena lifts the hanging pothos—I know it to be a silvery ann because of my lesson the other day at the shop—as she comes inside. “From our FaceTime last night, I noticed you were missing some fresh oxygen. I thought I’d rectify that with this. I recall you mentioning how much you liked it at the store.”

My cheeks warm as I close the front door behind her, accepting the plant. It’s full, already trailing over the side of the glossy black pot, the silver bits in the leaves a beautiful contrast to the soft green. “Thank you. I’ll make a macrame hanger and put it right over here by the back window.”

I walk to my patio door, setting the pot down on the TV stand.

“You macrame?”

I nod, grabbing a small bag I had hidden around the side of the stand. “One of my many talents. Or moments of hyper fixation. Tomato, tomato. Anyway, I actually got you something, too. Well, made it.”

Whirling around, I walk back to her and give her the bag, my pulse thumping hard. She dips a hand inside and pulls out the strange octopus-looking tool. Her brows furrow for a moment as she inspects it with that sharp gaze of hers before glancing back at me. “Thank you?”

I can’t stop the laugh that bubbles out of me. Elena perplexed has to be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. “It’s a stem support tool. You were complaining about that monstera leaning, so I 3D printed it. Hopefully, it helps.”

Elena’s eyes flicker with something I can’t quite read, but the genuine full smile that takes over her mouth is something that will be etched in my memory like a cat’s prints through wet concrete.

Her entire face lights up, two small creases appearing in the corner of her glittering mossy eyes. “This is incredibly thoughtful, Jessica. Thank you.”

My name on her lips is nothing short of euphoria. “It’s nothing, just another fixation. Bought the damn thing because I wanted to make some of those crystal dragons for my neighbor’s kid who always looks so sad. Needless to say, it’s been sitting in my closet. I’m just glad it could be of use again.”

She playfully rolls her eyes before placing the tool back in the bag and setting it down on the kitchen counter. She turns to me and takes both of my hands in hers. “While I don’t like for you to discredit your kindness, I appreciate you thinking of me. It means a lot. Truly”

My legs turn to jelly as I let her words sink into me, and I into her gaze. I’m stuck in place, without a care in the world, and just like anytime I’m with her, nothing else really matters.

Haven’t since the moment I laid eyes on her. Not when we had coffee, and I was supposed to be headed back to work. Not when we stayed awake until three in the morning on the phone solving a crossword together when we both had to be up in a few hours. Not when we were at the movies sharing a tin of popcorn when I swore I didn’t want any.

And most certainly not now when we’re supposed to be cooking dinner instead of staring at each other.

Which is why this time, there is nothing in the world that can stop me. Not a phone call, not nerves, not a fucking flying saucer crashing into my living room.

I lean in a few inches, my eyes searching hers for the hint of approval. When it’s given in a ghost of her smirk, I close the gap between us.

Her lips are soft, molding to mine with such precision, no one could convince me they weren’tmadeto fit together. And God, do they fit.

For a moment, nothing more than a second or two, we stay like this, lips touching with neither of us moving, a million thoughts, questions and doubts ripping through my mind faster than I can even process them.

But then Elena sighs.

It’s soft, almost indecipherable, but I hear it, and it sounds as if she’s anticipated this moment—no,waitedfor this moment as long as I have, and in that sigh, everything,everything, fades to nothing, leaving only her and I.

My hands slip to her either side of her face as I kiss her again, this time harder, and when she relaxes into me, I fucking lose it.

Fire and ice consume my entire body, heaven where we touch and pure hell where we don’t, and suddenly—almost scarily—I can’t get close enough. Our mouths move in tandem, hungry and desperate for the other as if we’ve both done this a million times over while also having waited our entire life for it.

Pushing closer, Elena’s hands find my waist, her fingers gliding beneath the hem of my shirt and pressing into my skin as she grips me firmly in place. I can’t hold back the small groan that slips free as she takes control, and melt against her, my own hands slipping around her neck.

My mind swirls as she deepens the kiss further, her tongue gliding along the bottom of my lip, silently demanding I open for her. I do without hesitation, allowing her to explore me however she deems, and holyshitttttdoes she explore.

Her tongue isn’t tentative or shy, nor is it wild and chaotic. No. It’s controlled. It’s demanding. And with every little lash and added nip of her teeth, I wish time would cease to exist and I could spend eternity locked like this.

Heart pounding and skin burning, I let her consume me until I’m dizzy, and when she finally withdraws, I’m pretty sure I’m going to pass out.

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