Page 40 of The Sinners Gambit

“You came back!” he says, his eyes filling with so much emotion. It’s like looking into a kaleidoscope of greens.

“I did,” I say, as he scoops me up in his arms and twirls me around before putting me down. I’m sure my eyes have the same tear-filled look.

“Hi, I’m here too!” Axel waves at us.

“Hi, Axe.”

“Told you so,” he says, matter-of-factly. We all burst out laughing.

“Shut up,” Killian argues.

“Come on, you two lovebirds. I feel like there should be a more violent version of that. Love hawks? Love pterodactyls? I’ll keep workshopping it.”

“It’s like I never left,” I say following the men—my men—inside.

“I mean you only left for like five hours, I don’t know if that even constitutes as really leaving,” Killian adds.

“You two get on my nerves,” I chide.

“I’ll go ask Guillermo to get dinner ready while you two talk.” Axel heads toward the kitchen, while Killian leads me to the den.

We sit down on the loveseat facing each other, knee-to-knee. “What made you come back?”

“Well, two pretty smart, yet ridiculous”—I laugh remembering how wonderfully chaotic talking to both Axel and Quinnly was—“people basically told me that I should stop being dumb.”

“Wow. And here I was taught to never call a woman stupid.” His eyes crinkle a smidge as he laughs. “Did so much change between when I grew up and when you did?”

I roll my eyes. “No, that’s still the case. They didn’t say it in those words. But they made me face that I shouldn’t hide my feelings because of how we met. That’s the very reason I should embrace them.”

“I’m glad you’re back.” Killian reaches for my face and rubs his thumb over my cheek. “Oh my little firecracker, I’m so glad you’re back.”

I lean into the cheek, that gap in my chest from earlier closing. “How about you? You didn’t really fight for me to stay either?”

He looks me in the eyes, remorse filling his. “I know, but like you, the reality and truth felt muddled, and I needed a second to wade through it. But one of those smartypants who spoke to you also told me that I was being an idiot.”

“Guess we’re stupid people in like,” I place my hand over his.

“In like?” he asks, hopeful.

“In like. I really like you,Killer,” I say, leaning forward, looking at his lips and then his eyes. Love will come in due time, I’m sure. I’m already falling for him with the care he takes to accept me and care for me. “Dare to dive off the deep end of crazy with me?”

“I’ll go anywhere with you, firecracker. I’m in like with you too,” he promises with a seal of a kiss. This is much like the first kiss we had. It’s sweet and comforting. It’s intense and exciting. But most of all, it’s home. I climb into his lap, wrapping my legs around his waist. He pulls me closer so we’re completely flush against each other. While being this close, I can feel his cock engorge with need. I deepen the kiss, not being able to get enough of him.

“Fuck, baby,” he moans out in between.

“I need you,” I beg.

“And weallneed to eat!” Axel says coming through the door. “You can fuck later.”

I instinctively go to pull back, but Killian has a death grip on me like he’s afraid to let go. I squeeze his shoulders in reassurance. He groans before saying, “You said you were just going to tell Guillermo.”

“Oh, no.” He comes and sits on the other side of the couch that’s now vacant since I’m in Killian’s lap. “I never told him not to make dinner. While I told you guys all that bullshit of needing time, I knew she’d come back. Guillermo and I had a bet. He won. I gave it until after dinner was already done, unfortunately.”

I burst out laughing and lean into Killian’s chest. “Wow!”

“Axel!” Killian shouts at him, but he’s smiling too.

“Come on, the food is waiting.” He motions for us to head to the dining room. “And wine to celebrate!”

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