Page 50 of A Long Way Home

ALEX

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Never leave me again.”

Matthias crashes his lips to mine. Clutching me against him. “I won’t survive it.” He whispers against my mouth.

I never meant to hurt him.

“I was making you unhappy.”Wasn’t I?“I thought it would be better for both of us.”

I moved on. Made a new life. Found new happiness.Hadn’t I?

I realise now that it had all been a plaster, barely patching over the gaping hole in my heart.

I pull back, fighting against his grasp. He clings to me only a moment longer before releasing me.

“I am so sorry, Alex.” His eyes glisten. “I should have stopped you. Begged you.” He swallows. “You have no idea how many times I have relived that night.”

“You’re here now,” I say.

“Always.” He strokes the side of my face. Ilean into his touch. “Taking you for granted was the worst mistake

I ever made. Never again. I’m here. Forever and always. However, you'll have me.”

I have my arms around his neck, forcing him down to my level. Before he can blink, my mouth is on his. Kissing him hard. Coaxing his lips apart. My tongue darts inside to play with his.

His firm hands hold me, clutching me closer. Firm but gentle.Always so gentle with me. Loving.

I pull back, gasping, “I need you, Matze.”

He rests his forehead against mine, a small, satisfied smile tugging at his lips.

“I need you too,Alex. I always did.”

Sweet, but clueless as always.

“No. Ineedyou.” I push one hand between us to cup him through his joggers. “Now.”

Pushing him back against the wall, my tongue delves into his mouth to dance with his.

How could I forget how perfectly we fit together?

I wrap my legs around his waist, and his warm palms hold me close. His fingers stroke along my spine.

“Someone could see us.” He whispers against my lips.

“Let them watch.”

His pupils dilate.

I lick his mouth, my tongue gliding along the seam of his lips, dipping in to taste him. He moans into my mouth.

I slide my hands up his chest, fisting clumps of his t-shirt as I deepen our kiss.

I grind my hips against him. Needing friction. The lack of gravity makes it difficult to stay as close as I want. Each bump pushes me away again. Noticing my frustration, he wraps his arms around me, slotting one foot beneath a metal handlebar to tether us together.

His arms keep my hips pinned to his, and as I grind against him, he hardens. His joggers begin to strain towards me.