Page 56 of The Truths We Find

“The kiss. It obviously helped you realize that you don’t still have feelings for me.”

Oh no. No. No. No. I step closer to her.

“That couldn’t be further from the truth. If anything—” I pause, trying to choose my next words carefully. “It just solidified how much of an idiot I was all those years ago to let you go. You have always been it for me, Dani.”

“Then why didn’t you say anything after I told you I wanted to be with you?”

I step closer, taking the ice bucket from her and setting it on the floor. Sliding my hands into hers, I brush the backs of her palms with my thumbs.

“Because I was convinced I was dreaming,” I sigh. “I thought that was the only way I could possibly hear you say those words. I just wanted to live in that moment before I woke up. When I realized it was real… I wanted to be respectful. You just went through a breakup. But trust me, I want nothing more than to take you in my arms and never let you go.”

“Gavin.” She reaches up and touches my cheek.

I cover her hand with mine and hold her gaze. Her eyes sparkle with hope and happiness, and in that look, I see it—all we had, all we can have again. I know I need to protect her, but right here, right now, it’s clear. The best way to do that is by her side. Fuck Sam and his threats. If he comes for us, for Dani, I’ll be ready. I won’t let him ruin our lives again.

She leans in, pressing her lips to mine in a soft, deliberate kiss. Heat runs through me, settling low in my chest, making it impossible to think of anything else. I want to sink into her, hold this, feel it stretch on forever. When we part, her fingers slip into my front pocket and pull out my room key. Every word she doesn’t say is spelled out in the way she looks at me.

Dani takes my hand and leads us down the hall. At my door, she opens it and steps inside first, nodding for me to follow. Despite the darkness, I can see her small, teasing smile as the door clicks shut behind us.

Chapter 18

Dani

The glow of the Las Vegas Strip outside the window of Gavin’s room is the only thing helping us find our way once inside. Neon light spills across the walls, casting long shadows that make the room feel like we’ve stepped into a moment that doesn’t quite belong in real life.

I pull Gavin behind me, my fingers still laced with his, but I freeze when I reach the king bed in the center of the room. I let go of his hand, suddenly needing space, but I refuse to turn around.

Doubt creeps in fast and uninvited. Is this too soon? I literally just ended things with Sam. The words echo louder and louder. And then there’s his voice in my head, warning me not to trust Gavin. Was that genuine concern… or just jealousy and possessiveness?

My chest tightens as memories surface. Gavin hurt me so badly all those years ago. I’d spent a long time convincing myself I was over it, that the past no longer had a hold on me. But standing here now, I can’t deny how deep those scars once ran. Still, we’re not the same people we were back then.

I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head, physically trying to dislodge the spiral of thoughts before it swallows me whole. I draw in a slow, steady breath, grounding myself. Whatever tomorrow brings, whatever consequences wait on the other side, I know one thing for certain. This is what I want.

Maybe not forever.

But for tonight.

I feel Gavin’s hand on my shoulder. “Dani?”

I turn and meet his gaze. Even in the dark, his blue eyes shine so bright, it lights up my entire soul. “Sorry. Just thinking.”

“We don’t have to do anything tonight. You know that, right? I will spend however long it takes for you to be ready to let me in your life like this again.”

I don’t know if it’s his promise of patience, or the fact I haven’t had sex in what feels like forever, but a sudden rush of need floods through me. Before I can overthink it, I close the small space between us, gripping the collar of his shirt, and pull him down to me. My mouth crashes into his, urgent and unrestrained.

His lips are soft and full. Familiar in a way that makes me feel whole again. He responds instantly, anchoring me to him by sliding one arm around my lower back, while the other cups the side of my face. His fingers tangle in my hair as his thumb brushes my cheek, the tenderness of it undoing me. A quiet whimper slips from my throat before I can stop it.

Gavin parts his lips and slips his tongue into my mouth, and I welcome the invitation to get even closer. I lean into him, needing more. Every nerve in my body feels on fire. Kissing shouldn’t feel like this. So consuming, so intense.

Did it always feel this way with him?

We barely break apart as my hands move to his loosened tie. I tug it free, letting it fall to the floor, then work open the buttons of his shirt. The fabric opens, revealing the body I’ve caught myself thinking about since that day at the beach. I shrug the shirt from his shoulders and pull back just enough to take him in.

Strong chest. Tight abs. That light dusting of hair that used to drive me crazy… and apparently still does. My hands glide over him, wanting to relearn every part of him. Gavin exhales sharply, the sound unsteady.

“Dani…”

“Do you want me to stop?” I tease.