OA

in fast, like it

d bruised, then the moon and s

ndows like it has something to say. Thunder rolls low and

wn blur beneath the downpour. Thank God Rhett and whoever built this place remember

was- closure of some sort. adjacent to any feelings, an a

m longing for something I can never have again while watching

ed, restrained, like he's holding himself back with his knuckles. I don't move right away. I can't dare look like I was

in clings to him, the scent of wet earth and whiskey following him into the room. He stands in the entry way- as the door clicks shut behind him. I hurry into the beautif

he replies. Dabbing at his shirt and pants with the towel before drying his hair. I try to look away, but I just can't make myself. "Sloane, I needed to see you." Thunder cracks over

ting. The massive room feels smaller with him in it- charged, it's almost humming

it the storm rolled in.. drawing me back to you." His eyes lock into mind like there's a magnet in them. A force anchoring me to h

says softly. His deep voice is lower than norm

ouching me, like he's afraid one wrong move will shatter something fragile. "I didn't c

s as he reaches for me, but drops his hands down and continues "I loved you when we were kids," he says. "I loved you when you

hought leaving would save us," I whisper softly. "Save you especia

e drowned with you, any day Sloane Hart." he says quietly. "If it meant you didn't go alone.

into him- my hands fisting in his shirt, pressing my forehead to his chest as the storm rages outside th

low, "my life, my responsibilities- those weren't yours to bear." I con

aiting a decade to do it right. He tightens his grip around me. "You can need me," he

nd the tension is unbearable now. No longer is he a distant memory I can't shake. But he's here in t

from crying. He closes his eyes, just for a second. When he open

whispers. His eyes s

t them- every kiss we've ever had feels back in this moment. He presses forward a bit harder and I can feel his tongue reach out and touch the seam of my lips.

sive and strong- those of a man who works his ass off. His grip tightens at my waist, pulling me closer to him. He presses our bodies together, I can feel the len

linch. At that moment Rhett breaks the kiss. He rests his forehead against mine,

everything." I fixate my eyes on him "I know," I whisp

en moves down to my neck. He kisses me everywhere but where I want hi

is firm. "Because when I take you back into my bed, it won't be temporary. And I won't survive lo

he says as he turns t

, Rhett. "

warily. I sink onto the edge of the bed, lips still tingling and swollen from kisses, my heart wide open. I finger the intricate pattern on the fluffy silk duvet cover. It's

e with him. Kissing him. To realizing I may have ruined everything forever. I think to myself- this is either the moment before everything br

sed to make grilled cheese at

se he liked pretending the world slowe

song, flipping sandwiches in the cast iron pan. The house smells like butter a

," he says witho

are

r-of-his-mouth kind. The one

im like I always have. He's still wearing his s

quiet all n

n of a second. Not enough

ay," he

er. Tighter. Like something

y, "Rhett asked me to g

ly turns

ns in a way that m

ollows you like y

t lately," I admi

nto a plate and brings it to me, cutt

hen they start planni

esi

... a go

st the counter

es hol

h to let someone see the pa

t doesn't sou

iles

y kind of lov

in his voice. So

" I w

ut and squee

I did," he says. "More freed

make it sound like you

t me for a

than

thing ever gets m

rupt quickly. "You're the

ightens ar

ent- just one- h

smiles

I've trusted

he says. "I just

rward and

e he's memorizing t

, police cars fi