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What was evenwas the fact that I could carry on a conversation at all after she licked her lip to catch a bit of sauce What had I been thinking? I wanted to ease her back intoabout her lips

A movie, I decided We should watch a ether on the couch; le close

I ju

“Letup to join me

“I can get it”

“But I don’t mind”

I put the dishes in the sink “I wash and you dry?”

She nodded and picked up a towel

As orked, it struck s such as the dishes We were a teaether Surely she knew

But I couldn’t assu I had to tell her

Yet I still argued with myself

After the ht think you want sex

No, after the movie, she’ll think you want sex Tell her before

After would be better

After is just you procrastinating again

My hand treave her the last dish She dried it quickly and put it in the cabinet, then returned to place the towel beside the sink

Now, West

I took a deep breath “Abby—”

“Nathaniel—” she said at the same time

Our gazes locked for a second and we both laughed

“You first,” she said

I took her hand “I just wanted to say thank you for coht Apollo hasn’t been so calm in months”

Daht

“Well, I’entle squeeze “But he’s not the only reason I caht”

I know Thank you

Stop thinking it Say it

I rubbed her knuckles, stroked the soft skin of her hand “I know”

A small smile lifted the corner of her mouth “Trust me I’m a pretty selfish creature”

Selfish? Abby? How could she even think that?

I traced her jaw “You’re not You’re kind and loving and forgiving and—”

“Nathaniel”

I needed to tell her Had to tell her Now

I placed a finger on her lips “Stop Let me finish”

She didn’t say anything else

I stared into her deep, wide eyes and gently cupped her face “You’ve brought my life so much joy; you’ve made me feel complete” She needs the words Give her the words “I love you, Abby”

She sucked in her breath

“Nathaniel” She leaned her cheek into my palm “I love you, too”

I felt certain my heart would explode She loved me

She loved me

She

Loved

Me

“Abby” I sighed, pulling her intoher It was the only way I knew to show s She parted her lips under mine

Oh, God Her taste

She pulled h my hair as she kissed me harder and deeper

Forget the movie—I wanted her

Let her lead

I broke the kiss, dragging my lips up to her ear “Tell me to stop, Abby” Please don’t tell me to stop “Tell me to stop and I will”

And I would I didn’t want to, but I would Anything beyond this point was up to her

“Don’t,” she said

Fuck She wanted me to stop

“Don’t stop,” she said

Yes

My fingers skimmed her arms I needed to ht you here for this” I tasted the skin of her ear, unable to holdyou”

Because, as ree, a movie and cuddles on the couch would be fine

She pulled away from me and smiled

“Follow me” She held out her hand

Huh? Follow her? I’d follow her anywhere

She took me out of the kitchen, down the hall, and into the foyer I still had no idea what she was doing

She started up the stairs