Page 95 of Under Southern Stars
The kiss deepens quickly, all the emotions I can’t express pouring into it—my fear, my hope, my love. Her arms wrap around my neck, her body presses against mine as if she could absorb the unspoken words through her skin.
As our bodies move together, slow and deep and achingly tender, I try to convey everything I can’t speak. Every gentle touch is an apology; every kiss a silent promise.Forgive me. I never wanted to hurt you. Please stay. Please love me still, tomorrow.
When we finally break apart, both breathing hard, she looks up at me with such trust, such openness, that my chest aches.
“What was that for?” she asks softly.
“Because I love you,” I say, the words slipping out before I could stop them. The truth—the real truth—lodges painfully in my throat, threatening to choke me. I want to say it all now, confess everything, but the look in her eyes stops me.
She trusts me, and God, how I need one more night of her trust.
Her eyes widen, surprise quickly replaced by warmth and something deeper, something raw and real. Her voice trembles slightly as she rises onto her tiptoes, brushing a kiss across my lips. “Well, that’s convenient,” she murmurs softly, almost shyly. “Because I might be falling for you too, Jack McKenzie.”
My name in her mouth—the name that is true but incomplete—sends a pang through me. Tomorrow, she will know the full truth. Tonight, I will hold her close and pretend that nothing has to change.
???
We check on Madison (sound asleep, phone still clutched in her hand) before retreating to our room. Sophia moves to the windows, gazing out at the moonlight on the lake, and I watch her silhouette against the glass—strong, beautiful, utterly precious to me.
“Come here,” she says softly, not turning around.
I cross to her, wrapping my arms around her waist. She leans back against me, her head resting on my shoulder.
“Thank you for today,” she whispers. “For all of this.”
“Anything for you,” I reply, meaning it completely.
She turns in my arms, her hands sliding up my chest. “Anything?” she asks, her voice dropping to that husky tone that never fails to send heat rushing through me.
In answer, I bend and capture her mouth with mine. She responds immediately, fingers tangling in my hair, pulling me closer. As the kiss deepens, her hands grow more urgent, tugging at my shirt.
“Madison—” I begin.
“Is sound asleep with her headphones in,” Sophia finishes, already working on my buttons. “And if we’re quiet…” She presses a kiss to my newly exposed collarbone. “Very, very quiet…”
I don’t need further invitation, lifting her easily and carrying her to the bed. The moonlight spills through the windows, illuminating her skin as I slowly undress her, taking my time, memorizing every inch. Her body arches beneath my hands and mouth, her breathing quickening as I worship her.
When we finally come together, it is slow and deep and achingly tender. I try to pour everything I can’t say into each touch, each kiss.I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Don’t leave me.
Her eyes, dark and luminous in the moonlight, hold mine as we move together, her hands fierce and possessive on my back.
Later, curled against each other in the tangled sheets, her head on my chest, I listen to her breathing slow and deepen as she drifts toward sleep.
“I could get used to this,” she murmurs drowsily. “New Zealand. You. All of it.”
I press a kiss to her hair, throat too tight to respond.
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
SOPHIA
The morning sun streams through our hotel room windows, painting golden stripes across the rumpled sheets. Jack has already slipped out for coffee, leaving a note on his pillow about grabbing “proper flat whites before our drive.” I stretch, surprisingly well-rested despite the lingering jet lag.
My phone buzzes with a text from Maria back at Metro General.
