Page 51 of Twisted Gift

I turn my face away, swallowing hard as I try to stop my pulse from jackhammering. “I’m sorry,” I force out.

He slides his hand up the side of my neck and cradles my head, turning my face to meet his gaze. “Talk to me, Rory.” His stares at me. “Please, sweetheart.”

I blink back the tears. “We’ve missed so much time together because I was afraid.” Guilt weighs on my chest, making it hard to look at his face, so full of understanding.

His brows pull closer. “No,” he says in a firm voice. “Don’t do that.”

“How can I not?” I ask in a small voice. “You were willing to help me even though it would’ve gone against every rule you know. I couldn’t let you do that for me. I’m just—”

“Christ, Rory, you’re everything.” He tips my face up slightly. “Everything.”

I sniffle. “I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost you.”

He chuckles, and it eases the pressure in my chest a bit. “It’s a good thing we’re immortal.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” I lift a hand to my face to dry my cheeks.

He kisses my forehead. “You okay?”

I wrap my arms around him, inhaling as I press my face into his chest. “I am now,” I murmur.

He rests his chin on my head for a few beats before he says, “Can I kiss you again?”

I giggle against his chest. “I hope you plan to do a lot more than that. It’s been months, Tris.”

His chest rumbles with a soft growl that heats my cheeks. “It’s going to be a long night, sweetheart.” Without warning, he lifts me up. I wrap my legs around him as he carries me into the bedroom.

I giggle against his lips, not because this is funny—it’s far from it, but because it doesn’t feel real. After all this time—when I thought I’d never experience this again—I can’t wrap my head around it.

Tristan’s mouth freezes against mine, and he sets me down. “Is somethingfunny, Aurora?”

I press my forehead against his. “No,” I murmur. “Keep kissing me.”

He leans back enough to look me in the eyes. “You laughed.”

I fight a smile. “I’m just happy.”

His eyes narrow playfully. “I’m about to ravish your body, and you’re laughing.”

Biting my bottom lip to keep from laughing again, I shake my head. “I wasn’t sure we’d ever get to do this again. I was having a moment.”

His stoic expression remains, but a grin touches his lips. “You were laughing.”

I run my fingers along his jaw, the stubble tickling my skin. “Kiss me, please.”

The corner of his mouth curls, and the look in his eyes makes me wonder what he’s thinking.Is he remembering the last time we did this?

I swallow hard, my heart hammering inside my chest. “Tristan...”

He tips his face, resting his forehead against mine as his eyes close. “I want to take my time with you, but I don’t think I can.”

I exhale on a laugh and shake my head. “I want you in every way possible.”

His lashes flutter, but his eyes stay shut. “Fuck,” he growls, “I’ve missed you.” He plants his mouth on mine as he grips my hips, making me moan against his lips.

I push against his chest, hoping he’ll get the hint to back up toward the bed. When he complies instantly, my lips curl against his. Tristan and I have always been in a struggle for power, but in situations like this, the fight makes my heart pound louder for him.

He stops walking once he hits the side of the bed, and we lean away at the same time, keeping our arms locked around each other. My eyes roam over his face slowly, willing my mind to commit it to memory. I want to keep this picture in my head forever: Tristan standing here, offering me all of him. The notion steals my breath as I push him back on the bed, falling on top of him before sealing my lips over his.

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