Page 247 of Darling Venom
It volleyed between us. The inconvenient truth. Large and demanding. Only, we treated it like it was fragile. Bubble-wrapped it, then locked it in a vault.
I braced myself for what came next.
The only thing that could follow up his confession.
“I never asked you why you were on the roof the first time you and Kel met.”
I swallowed, looking away.
He didn’t press me to answer, but I felt his presence all around me. I felt him. Instead of suffocating me, it enveloped me like a hug. When I returned my gaze to him, he looked serious. More serious than I’d ever seen him.
Tate squeezed into the space between the pole and me. The tight fit pressed us flush together. With my body propped on the jungle gym, he stood just above eye level with me. His fingers met my chin, forcing me to meet his blue-grays.
An inferno raged inside them.
He looked me straight in the eyes, unwavering. “You’re breathing, Charlie. You are breathing, and it is beautiful, and I am so grateful for that.”
It might’ve been better than the L-word.
My heart threatened to break out of its cage and tackle Tate if I didn’t touch him right now. His lips descended on mine, and just like that, I felt like I was living again. I wondered when Tate’s kisses had gone from stealing my breaths to giving them back.
I clutched the lapels of his suit, drawing him nearer. Greedy for everything he could give me and more.
I wished I could lock this moment in a time capsule, bury it deep where it was safe, and return to it the inevitable moment we ended. At least then, I’d have something beautiful to remember our love by.
His lips grazed my temple. “The world is better with you in it, Charlie.”
And I believed him.
Neither of us was okay, but we had each other. I was healing, day by day, and I’d drag him with me. No matter what it took.
Tate Marchetti purged the loneliness from me.
He cured me.
I grinned. “You really are a doctor.”
“Last I checked.” He raised a brow, dipping down for another kiss.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I fished it out. The screen flashed with a message from Leah.
Leah: Where are you?! I got up to get water and didn’t see you.
Leah: It’s three in the morning! Who are you and what have you done to my sister?!
[Princess Diaries Eyebrows GIF.]
I did the math.
My bedroom was not the kitchen, and I left the door closed, which meant Leah actively checked in on me.
It felt like I’d escaped my body and drifted to another plane where happiness existed. Where Leah Richards loved me and Tate Marchetti showered me with midnight kisses on a meadow of planets.
Me: On my way home. See you in ten.
[I’m Horny Workout GIF.]
I waved my phone. “Leah texted, wanting to know where I am. I think that’s my cue to leave.”
