Page 119 of Hoax and Kisses
I close my eyes. I can’t look.
“All against?”
I hold my breath.
“All right. With forty-sixyeses and threenos, the hotel project on Emile’s land is approved.”
My heart drops to the floor.
I did it.I can’t believe I fucking did it.
Strong arms lift me, and I’m yanked into a hard chest. I’d recognize his scent anywhere.
“Iknewyou’d pull it off,” Matt says, his voice muffled by my hair. “I’m so proud of you, beautiful.”
I cling to him. I can’t find it in myself to care that his sister, his friends, and just about every member of this community are watching us. Not when the clarity that washes over me as he cups my face and tilts me to him is more powerful than any rational reasons.
It doesn’t sneak up on me this time. Deep down, I always knew we’d end up there. Instead, it slowly settles into my bones, taking root in my chest and spreading like vines everywhere his mouth has touched, his fingers have skimmed, his body has embraced, blooming quietly beneath my skin until I can’t deny the truth any longer.
“I don’t want to leave.” I grip his shirt like it’s the only thing keeping me upright. “I don’t want to leave.”
“Then don’t,” he breathes. “Fucking stay with me. Do I need to get on my knees and beg?” He cradles my face, his thumb pushing my lips open. “Because I will do it right here if that’s what it’ll take.” His eyes travel between mine, agony dawning in them as the seconds tick by. “Do you need me to say it now, Zoé? Are we finally at the point where we stop lying to ourselves and to each other?”
The words burst out of me. “I love you.”
Relief softens his whole face. “Fuck, I love you too.”
His mouth crashes into mine, kissing, nipping, licking, his tongue slipping in to taste me. My hand flattens on his lower back, fingers splaying in a possessive touch as I draw him closer.
My heart races like it’s trying to catch up with his.
He loves me.
Kissing him eases an ache inside me but ignites everything else. It sets me on fire after the relief of his touch. It’s a never-ending, soothing, scorching pleasure. One I’m perfectly content to endure for the rest of my life.
He loves me.
He releases me, panting and laughing breathlessly. I want to capture his magnetic joy so I can show him how easy it is to love him. Keep some for myself when I need brighter days.
“See? That’s the intensity I was talking about earlier,” I tease. “In case you weren’t sure, I was talking about you up there.”
He rests his forehead on mine, a smug grin plastered on his face. “Oh, it wasveryclear. For everybody. Thank you for the ego boost, by the way.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late for that.” He slips his hands into his pockets and rocks back on his heels. “Patty already stopped me on my way to you and made a move.”
I roll my eyes. “Of course she did. What did you say?”
He leans in, his nose scraping my cheek. “Told her I was taken by the smoke show over here.”
“That’s right.” I wind my fingers in his hair and brush my lips against his.
When he lets out a strangled groan in response, I beam with satisfaction.
“Matt?”
Matt freezes against me, his body going rigid.
