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I stopped breathing when she tugged her sweater over her head to reveal an ivory lace cale bit of me"

I was a hell of a lot closer than I’d been five seconds ago

Reaching out, I drew a line with er fro yourthat i it back, it was even more intense than I expected It remindedlove has always sounded so la like that, either But I think I understand now"

She tilted her head to the side "I didn’t think … you’re not a--"

"Uain to soften the words I couldn’t tell exactly howis different with you I’m closer to you than I’ve ever been to anyone"

She leaned over and put her lips right next to my ear

"Get closer"

I openedinto her eyes

She wanted this as much as I did

When I didn’t respond i is … so wrong I shouldn’t have--"

"Don’t" I putour positions I eased her back onto the pillows and traced the line of her cheekbones with my thumbs "I only hesitated because I wanted to feel what you felt Know you were sure about me Us"

"I am" She slid her hands into htened her legs, pulling me closer

"I know"

I directed every ounce of focus I had to Lily I knew exactly how to kiss her, to touch her Not because of her sighs, or the way her muscles tensed and relaxed in response to ave, she returned

Pleasing her pleased er," I said, pulling away, "I’m not in a hurry"

Her cheeks were flushed, her hair dark and tangled against the pillowcase Exhaling shakily, she said, "I know"

"Do you?"

She nodded

"People underestiood as fast" I grinned, running ertips across the exposed skin between her jeans and the bottom of the camisole "Usually, it’s better"

I saw the sadness in her eyes asour tie of the tattoo on my bicep Her touch arm "I wonder howover, I kissed her forehead "Thank you"

"For what?"

"Trusting h to let ently placed my hand just above her heart "I kno many risks you’ve taken, how hard it is for you to trustto sure, and you’re getting even stronger You consistently take risks for people you care about" She covered my hand with hers "Also, maybe I’m in love with you a little But that doesn’t irl was a miracle A miracle in love with me

"I don’t like you, either But I’m a little in love myself"

"We’ll find Jack You’ll take your parents’ ue We just have to--" Light flickered across her face, and she sat up quickly, pointing out the

Shock

Ivy Springs was going up in flames