Page 47 of Fade (Fighting Fate)

is time was different. This time when I saw her, I knew it was the beginning of our lives together. I just hoped she saw it that way too.

Straightening my uniform, I knocked on the door and waited.

A few moments later, the door creaked open, and I was faced with Amber’s mom, Kathryn, smiling across at me.

“Daniel,” she said, looking over my uniform. “Oh my goodness, don’t you look handsome.”

I laughed quietly at her, slightly amused. “Well, thank you, ma’am.”

She laughed and shook her head. “I think Amy’s nearly ready. Do you want to come in?”

“Thank you, ma’am,” I said, stepping through so she could close the door.

Kathryn opened her mouth to say something else, but was interrupted by a loud squeal. We both looked up to see Amy flying down the stairs toward me. I couldn’t help the grin that broke out at the sight of her. God, I’d missed her.

Moving forward, I caught her just as she dived at me, the high impact of her body sending me back a couple of steps.

“Oh my God! I can’t believe you’re finally here!” she said, kissing my face hurriedly.

I held her away from me to grin at her before pulling her back in for a proper kiss.

I didn’t realize just how much we’d both missed each other physically until the kiss quickly turned heated. Amy’s hands gripped me hard against my too-short hair, while mine crushed her body against mine. Our kiss was so forceful I was sure we’d both end up with bruised lips.

“Well, it’s good to know you two still have that explosive chemistry.”

We quickly broke apart, breathless, and turned to see Amber’s smug grin from the bottom of the stairs. I shifted my body to maybe apologize to Mrs. Crawford, but, thankfully, she’d gone. I hoped she had left before Amy and I had tried to devour each other.

“How are you, Amber?” I asked.

She grinned wider. “Not as good as you, obviously.”

Amy squeezed me and nuzzled into my chest, making my body swell with pride. “Are you ready to go, Princess?”

She gazed up at me and gave me a smile that instantly melted me. “I just have to grab my bag.”

I looked up to see Amber holding out a black bag as it swung back and forth. Amy took it from her, actually looking a little giddy.

“Have fun, you two,” Amber sang as we left. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do . . . ”

“I don’t actually think that’s possible, Amber,” Amy called out with a laugh.

Making sure she was safely strapped into the car before I climbed in, I turned over the ignition and pulled out onto the street.

I couldn’t stop looking over at her as I drove. I’d missed her so fucking much. All I could think about was being inside her again. And soon.

“I just have to drop my bags home and get changed, if that’s okay?” I asked, trying to change my thoughts.

Her eyebrows rose. “Oh, you haven’t been home yet?”

I gave her a deadpan look. “Princess, you’re the most important part of my life. If coming to you is ever an option amongst others, I’ll take it first. Mom left her car for me at the station.”

I saw her inhale deeply, her eyes darkening with desire. Fuck. So much for trying to get my thoughts away from being inside her.

“I love you so much, Daniel.”

I gazed across at her for as long as I could while I was driving. Saying ‘I love you’ back just didn’t seem like enough in that moment. I needed it to be more than that. “I don’t think it’s possible for me to explain to you just how much I love you right now.”

She bit her lip, and I had to force myself to look away.

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