Page 25 of I’ll Find You

Something finally awakens in me. I find strength as I step slightly to the side, no longer hiding behind Alex. I’m tired of being the victim. “I already did,” my voice growing in confidence as I stand taller. “And I’m not making that mistake again. We’re done, Maxwell.” A few chuckles rise through the small crowd that has gathered to witness this unwarranted spectacle. Maxwell notices, his jaw tightens as embarrassment flashes across his face.

“Yeah?” he says, his voice sharp with humiliation. “Fine.” His gaze locks onto mine. “Go be his slut then.”

The word feels like a slap.

Alex takes one measured step forward. “Leave.”

Maxwell hesitates, his eyes flicking between Alex and the crowd still watching him. “Yeah,” he mutters, trying to recover what little dignity he has left. “We’ll see.” Then he turns and walks away.

My heart is pounding as Alex looks down at me.

“You okay?”

I nod, even though I’m not entirely sure that I am. He doesn’t question it. Instead, he guides me around the corner, away from prying eyes. The crowd surges behind us, hungry for whatever might happen next.

His hand tightens around mine. Once we are out of sight, I stop. He takes another step before realizing I’m no longer beside him. The tug from our joined hands draws him back.

He turns. “What…” The word dies on his lips. I just stand there staring at him. Everything from the last few minutes—Maxwell, the crowd, the humiliation, the anger—burns through me all at once. That feeling ignites me, propelling me forward to him. He stills, barely breathing, watching me as though he's trying to decide whether this is really happening.

I lift our joined hands, pressing them lightly against his chest. He's so close his scent floods my senses, leaving me intoxicated by him. When I look up into obsidian eyes they smolder as he watches me, understanding what I’m about to do, and deciding if he’s going to stop me. I don’t give him the chance. I release his hands and slide my arms up and around his neck, pulling him down toward me.

And then I kiss him. It’s not soft or hesitant. It’s everything I didn’t say, everything I tried to ignore crashing into him all at once. For a split second, he goes completely still. Then his hands find me. He sighs into the kiss, exhaling in recognition as if this was always going to happen. And in that instant, everything changes.

Chapter

Sixteen

Alex

Ihear someone clear their throat. I groan, not wanting to stop, especially after waiting months for her. For her to finally stop fighting whatever this is between us. And now he’s here to ruin it.

“So this is why you haven’t answered me back,” he says with a low chuckle in his voice.

Of course. I pull back from Rose slowly, my gaze still locked on hers as I drag my tongue across my lips, still tasting her. A small smile tugs at her mouth.

I lean in once more, brushing a final, softer kiss against her lips before forcing myself to step away. Then I turn my attention to my cousin, Ezra—the saboteur of my special moment.

He steps forward, hand already extended as if he didn’t just interrupt something that was seconds away from getting out of control.

“You must be Rose.” Before I can stop him, he takes her hand and pulls her into a hug.

A low growl rips from my chest. He just laughs.

“I’m Ezra,” he adds, completely unbothered.

I step in immediately, pulling her back against me.

"Oomph," she huffs as she collides with my chest. I place my arms around her without hesitation, locking her in place as I level my gaze at Ezra. The fucker knows exactly what he’s doing.

“No touching,” I snap.

Ezra doubles over, laughing harder.

“Oh, my God. You’re insane, bro.” But he doesn’t take his eyes off her. And I really don’t like that.

“I didn’t think you were coming,” I say, my tone flat, controlled despite the very real urge to gouge his eyes out for staring at her. Favorite cousin or not. He straightens, still grinning, studying me as I’ve suddenly become something far more interesting than he’s ever been before.

“Oh, I just had to see this for myself,” he says. “When Dad told me…” His attention moves to Rose. Immediately, my arm slides around her shoulders, pulling her into my side without much thinking. “I couldn’t believe it.”