Page 162 of The Wishing Game

"You don't have to say anything now," he murmurs, stepping closer and touching his forehead to mine. He inhales deeply, and I can feel his breath on my lips. "I'll help you with your plan. But after that, you're coming with me," he states.

"I am?" My voice wobbles, warmth spreading through my limbs.

"You are. Now that I've found you again, I'm never letting you go.Never," he emphasizes, his words sounding both like a promise and a threat. In fact, there's a slight edge to his tone, but it's not something I pick up easily on. In my euphoria, I can only see him, here, with me. In my naiveté, I don't ask any questions, simply satisfied with what he decides.

"We should go now," I stammer, still caught in his intense gaze.

"There are ten more minutes until we need to leave," he notes glibly, barely sparing a glance at the watch.

"But—"

"I've missed you, Luce. Tell me you've missed me, too," he says in a low, anguished voice.

"Of course I missed you. You were my best friend, Nikki."

His features darken.

"Your best friend?Justyour best friend?"

"I... Well..." I moisten my lips as I gaze up into his eyes. He's so close... "Maybe a little more."

"How much more?" he rasps, his deep voice sending a shiver down my back.

Suddenly, there's no more physical pain. There's only a light pulsation that starts from the center of my chest, traveling up and imbuing all my senses with a euphoria I've never experienced before—one that makes me even more lightheaded than blood loss.

"You must know I had a crush on you, Nikki," I answer bashfully, my cheeks reddening.

"Justa crush?" He raises a brow.

"Maybe a little more."

"How much more? Tell me, Luce. Spare me from this torment I've been drowning in for the past two years. Tell me," he murmurs, the cadence of his voice changed. It's more suave, more... God, my face must be burning, and despite my injury, I don't think I have a fever. No, it's him—only him. It's his nearness when I've only dreamed about it before. It's his voice that makes me melt with every syllable he utters. And it's his intense gaze that has me pinned to the spot, so hungry and so desperate. It's almost as if heisdrowning and I'm the only one who can save him.

"I was in love with you," I confess.

"Was?" he asks darkly.

"Am," I whisper.

A slow smile runs across his mouth, one that is as blinding as it is terrifying, and before I know it, his lips are on mine. His kiss is fierce and unrelenting, just like this side of Nikki I haven't known before. And though in the beginning I'm startled by this foreign sensation, I can't help but give in.

He's Nikki. He'smyNikki. The only man I'd ever allow such liberties because he owns my body just as he owns my heart.

His lips part over mine, his tongue skimming the seam of my mouth. At first, I'm confused about what he means to do, but as he brushes his tongue against mine, my entire body hums, a terrifying sensation enveloping me. One that threatens to overwhelm me withfeeling.

Yet just as the kiss starts, it's over. He tears himself from me, his breathing accelerated, his features contorted in pain.

"Nikki?" I ask softly, bringing my hand to my lips.

"I'm sorry."

"I—What happened? Was it...bad?" I barely utter the last word as hopelessness forms inside me.

"Bad? What? No. It wastoogood,Luce. But I've been living for the past two years on your memory alone and that kiss... If we don't stop, we mightneverstop, and it's not the time for that. Not only do we have something to do, but..." He scrubs his face with his hand. "You'reyou, and that means you deserve more than just a quick tumble in the hay. You're also hurt." He shakes his head. "God, I'm a fucking idiot," he curses out.

I watch him in confusion, not understanding half of what he's saying.

"So you didn't dislike it?" I ask, needing direct confirmation.

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