Page 34 of Harmonious Hearts

“Yeah, oh shit. I was so mad at him for getting to you first, but then I was mad at you for getting to him first. He mentioned it was casual, so I went for it. I did what I was too afraid to do all those years ago. I kissed him…and he let me!”

“Well, I’m glad to be of assistance.”

“You are so so much more. You’re the bridge that connects us to everything. It’s hard to explain; I know you’ve only been here a little while, but it was instant and undeniable.”

We lock our eyes for a long moment, and I wish I could understand what he was saying, but a lifetime of rejection and bending over backward for the slightest hint of appreciation has left me hardened and jaded.

“God, I wish you could see you the way I see you,” Ian says softly. “You complete us in ways we didn’t know we needed to be complete. Like, we can go out on date night, and if the server brings us the wrong food, you can send it back for us!” he says, biting his bottom lip sarcastically like that is the biggest turn-on he’s ever heard, but something about the way he said it makes me think he’s actually telling me the truth and a laugh bubbles up and out of my sore throat.

“Don’t get me wrong. You’re a huge bitch, like huge!” he says, and I lift a heavy arm to smack him playfully. "But you’re so selfless for him, and I hope you’ll see me that way one day, too.”

Ian’s voice trails off, and he leans in, kissing me softly.

“I'll admit, you’re not making it easy for me to hate you anymore,” I confess, my voice and emotions raw.

“Good. I’ll work on making it harder for you to ever think about hating me again.” He smiles. “I’ll make sure it’s fucking impossible.”

His smile falters for a moment, and I take the opportunity to use his own tactics against him, “Spit it out.”

He smiles as he crouches at my feet, aiming the showerhead over my legs. He sucks in a deep breath as if he’s trying to collect himself before divulging a deep, dark secret.

"I was serious when I said there's no going back for me. I’ve had months to perfect my obsession with you.” He runs the water gently up and down my calves, leaving trails of soap and goosebumps. “I know this was sudden for you, and you’re not even close to burning the world down for me yet, but I'll be here,” he says, lifting my leg to plant a soft kiss on the top of my foot. “And here,” he repeats as he kisses my calf.

“And here, and here, and here…” he chants as he rises from his feet, trailing kisses up the inside of my thigh, my pussy, just below my belly button, my ass, my love handle, my ribcage, the space between my breasts, my collarbone, my neck, and my jaw. “And I’ll be here…” he says as he kisses my lips, lingering just long enough to make me want more, “…waiting for you to catch up."

His voice is hoarse with emotion, and it breaks my heart a little to see him so vulnerable, but he’s not wrong. I may not want to burn the world down for him just yet, but after tonight, I’m not opposed to a bit of light arson—maybe a murder or two—if it keeps the smile on his face from fading.

I guess sometimes opposites don’t attract…they collide.