Page 74 of Secrets & Curses of Fate

Suddenly, she pulled back and moved away from me. Her gaze flickered around the room, and I saw the guilt that she had about kissing me here—where we had our first kiss last time.

“I can see that you want to bolt, but don’t,” I said, holding my hands out toward her.

“I got carried away.”

I smiled at her.

“You can get carried away with me any time you please, Della.”

She chuckled softly and held out her hand for me. I immediately slid my hand into hers, and we left my bedroom and headed back downstairs. My breath caught as I took in my family and how much they had aged. They were laughing and joking with Remiah. All of them smiled when they saw me. Stars, what was this like for them—to see me and know who I am but not be able to say anything?

I frowned slightly. I guess it was the same as how I felt about remembering Della and not being able to tell her. It was bittersweet. But Della still carried her love and grief for me. I could see it in her eyes when she watched me.

“We should probably get going.” Della smiled as they all made noises of rejection.

“You two will come back with Della?” my mother asked quickly.

“Of course,” I smiled.

I dropped Della’s hand and was the one to move forward for a hug. My mother’s familiar warmth and scent wrapped around me as she gripped me tightly. I held on a little longer this time, missing the way she had raised me, loved me. She had tears in her eyes when she pulled back but quickly moved to hide them. I moved to my father next and gripped him. He held on just as long as I did. When I pulled back, he patted my shoulder.

“You’re a good man, Haden.” His strained voice made tears sting my eyes. I turned, and Holden was already there, hugging me to him. Brother. I held him tightly before pulling back and seeing an aged version of myself.

“It was great to meet you.” Holden smiled before Sara practically shoved him out of the way and hugged me.

I could see Penelope and Henry whispering to Della. She nodded softly—sadly. I watched as they seemed to be trying to encourage her or make her happy. She seemed to feel my gaze on her and straightened up.

“Are you ready?” she asked us. We both nodded, and her starlight wrapped around us. When it disappeared, we were outside of our shitty house. Remiah thanked Della before looking between us and turning to leave immediately.

Della looked up at me and opened her mouth to talk but shut it.

“Just ask, Storm.”

“You only ever make a move on me when you’re void.”

“Because you scare me,” I answered honestly.

“Will your other side eventually catch up so we can be around each other more?”

I smiled and tucked her dark hair behind her ear.

“You want to see me more?”

“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate.

Fuck, she was pretty when she was confident. I leaned down and kissed her. This time, Della was the one to yank me flush against her. Her tongue swept across my lips. A deep hum left my throat as it dominated mine. I gripped her hair in my hands and tilted her head to the side to deepen this intoxicating kiss.

Della moaned softly as I pushed her into the side of the house below my bedroom window. My other hand came up and gripped her jaw tightly as I took complete control of her. I pulled away, kissing down her jaw and down her neck. Della sighed softly as my teeth grazed her skin. I kissed over her collarbone and then reached up and gripped the neckline of her dress.

“Do you like this dress?” I asked in a whisper.

“Kind of.”

“Good enough.” I ripped the fabric so I could see her chest as it rose and fell in heavy, lustful breaths.

“Haden,” she whispered.

“Do you want me to stop?” I asked as my finger slowly traced over her, the base of her throat, and down between her breasts.

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