Page 178 of Keeping Kasey
“Do you think there was ever a possibility of things working out between us?” she asks softly.
I don’t need to think long about my answer—I’ve been asking myself the same question for months.
“I think our version ofworking outwas always going to be unconventional.”
“So base-wide viruses and burning motels are just a form of affection,” she muses, and I can hear the smile in her voice.
But I don’t laugh.
“I knew you weren’t inside that motel.”
She lifts her head to meet my gaze. “What?”
I roll over so our heads are on the pillow, and I don’t have to strain to look at her. Our legs stay intertwined, and my hand grips her waist.
“When I got the call that an associate recognized you, I didn’t even tell James where I was going. I just got on a plane and flew to see for myself, but by the time I got there, the room was empty—and I was so relieved.”
“Relieved that Iwasn’tthere?”
I kiss the lines furrowing her brow. After everything else I’ve told her tonight, sharing this truth doesn’t seem so difficult.
“I wasn’t convinced I could follow through on a single one of my threats,” I admit. “Seeing that empty motel room, I realized I had no idea what I would’ve done if you’d been there. But I couldn’t donothing, so I burned it down. It was my way of putting everything behind me.”
Kasey looks at me with a mix of wonder and amusement, and I memorize the sight. I’ve seen too many glares and blank expressions from her lately, and the gleam in her eyes right now is stunning.
“Did it work?”
I tug her body to mine, and the sound of her soft gasp is like injecting the world’s most addictive drug directly into my bloodstream. With our lips only an inch apart, I tell her the screwed-up truth.
“I could burn the entire world to the ground, and it still wouldn’t be enough to get over you.”
She moves first, closing the distance between us and molding her lips to mine.
For a heartbeat, I don’t even kiss her back. I just soak in every detail—her skin, her taste, her scent.
Everything that makes Kasey who she is.
And then Idokiss her back, and I’m not sure I’ll ever stop.
I roll on top of her, bracing my arms on either side of her head. Kasey’s nails drag up my back, digging into my skin and pinning me to her. It’s a possessive hold that stirs the beast inside me, and I’m struck with the overwhelming need to claim her.
I take her bottom lip between my teeth and tug hard before diving back in. My tongue sweeps across hers, elicitinga whimper that sends a thrill through me as my hand gently brushes the skin beneath Kasey’s delicate neck.
I’d almost forgotten how fragile she feels, like a porcelain doll just begging to be broken.
“I missed you,” she murmurs against my lips.
“That’s because you were never meant to leave.”
Kasey swallows, and when she pulls back to meet my gaze, I can already read the message in hers.
“But you’re going to,” I say.
“I can’t stay here.”
“Why not?”
She places her hands on either side of my face, and I can’t help but lean into her gentle touch.
