Page 119 of Chasing Hope

“And what about now? What’s your excuse now, Matteo?”

“Nothing,” he breathes, his chest rising and falling.

The tension grows to a new height. I didn’t think it was possible, and yet, here we are.

“Tell me, Evie,” he begs. “Tell me that in the car you wanted me to kiss you because it’s more than physical for you.” He points between us before clutching his chest again as he pleads, “Tell me that what I feel for you isn’t one-sided. Tell me that your feelings never left.”

“Of course they never left,” I whisper. Matteo swims before me, my vision blurring with my tears. Swallowing thickly, I croak out, “But you chose him once before. Don’t put me in a position where you will choose him again, because I can’t handle that, Matteo. I can’t handle you ripping my heart out again. I barely survived the first time.”

The elevator doors open on the deserted lobby and I hold my breath, neither one of us moving an inch. The doors slowly close again and I finally let out all the air.

“Ask me again.”

I shake my head, my lower lip wobbling. “No.”

“Fine, then. I’ll tell you.” He approaches me slowly, so slowly that as he takes one step forward, I take one back, until I’m pressed against the elevator wall as it climbs once more.

“I’ll tell you how much pain I was in that night watching you walk away. I’ll tell you how I didn’t sleep for nearly six months when I found out you started dating Carter. I’ll tell you how I’ve never dated anyone because the only woman I have ever wanted to be with is standing in front of me now. I’ll tell you how I have only ever cared aboutyou, how my heart quite literally beats foryou, and I’ll tell you how I will forever and always chooseyoua million times over.”

“What about Caleb?”

“Fuck the consequences.” We’re toe to toe now, and as he lifts his hands and cups my cheeks, he declares, “I will always choose you, Evie. In every situation, in every room, and in every lifetime. I will always chooseyou.” Right as he brings his lips down on mine.

Chapter 35

Matteo

ASHFORD

dude where are you?

Layla is also wondering where Evie is

I hope you’re missing out on this rager for a good reason

MATTEO

best reason there is

I’m kissing Evie Ellington.

I’m kissing the love of my life…and nothing has ever felt so right.

Her hands slide up my chest and the feel of her touching my body has a groan leaving my lips, and at the sound coming from deep within my soul, she fists my shirt and pulls me down closer to her.

The kiss is heavy, heated, frenzied.

Fireworks are exploding inside my mind.

I’m crazed, absolutelyferalto be finally kissing her after all these years. I’ve dreamed about this moment ever since I was old enough to want to explore girls.

My tongue strokes along her lips, asking for entrance, and asshe gasps, allowing me inside, my fate is sealed. I’m addicted to Evie Ellington and I never want to be set free.

The kiss turns wild.

We’re caressing every inch of skin we can get our hands on, until I’m so greedy I bunch up her dress around her thighs and lift her. She wraps her legs around my waist willingly, a moan tumbling from her mouth into mine as I pin her against the elevator wall and devour her.

I don’t think I can stop.