Page 34 of Summertime Hexy
“Because it’s always true!”
I stand, heat crawling up my neck.
“You don’t get to yell at me like I’m some helpless idiot.”
“I’m yelling at you because I care, you reckless, glitter-wielding menace!”
I freeze.
So does he.
The air between uscrackles.
“You care?” I ask, voice lower now. Dangerous.
His jaw clenches. “You know I do.”
My chest tightens. “Then why do you keep pushing me away?”
“Because I’m not safe,” he snaps. “Because I destroy everything I touch.”
“You saved me.”
He shakes his head. “That doesn’t make me a hero.”
I take a step closer. “Then what does it make you?”
His hands twitch at his sides. “Stupid.”
“Why?”
“Because I can’t stop thinking about you.”
I stop breathing.
He does too.
And then I’m moving.
Wecrashinto each other like fate finally snapped its fingers and saidenough.
His mouth finds mine in a kiss that’s not sweet or slow or careful. It’sdesperate.Like he’s been holding back for centuries and finally,finallylet himself break.
His hands bury in my hair. Mine claw at his coat.
We don’t come up for air for a long time.
When we do, we’re both wrecked. Shaking.
Breathless.
I rest my forehead against his.
“Why do you keep saving me?” I whisper.
His voice is rough. “Because you make me feel like I’m alive.”
He freezes.
