Page 52 of Seein’ Red

“But you need to know how sorry I am.”

“I do.” She looks away but tightens her grip on my fingers. “I know how sorry you are.”

It's a far cry from everything I need to tell her. But it’s enough for now. I don’t want to push it.

“I want us back,” I tell her. “The real us. Not whatever this drawn out secret argument is that leaves me with whiplash. I want my best friend back. I’ve missed her.”

“I want that too. I have missed us.”

“C’mere.” Reaching over, I pull her into my lap. Willa sighs, straddling me, arms wrapping around my neck. “Willa, I mean it. I really fucking mean it. We’re in this together. You and me against the world. So, whaddya say?”

Willa’s eyes turn glassy, and I can see the tears she’s fighting hovering right there. Right along with everything she’s feeling. All the feels.

Something I understand.

“Nash…”

“Yeah?”

“Kiss me…”

15

WILLA

Kiss me…

I barely have time to think before the words escape from me, but thinking isn’t required. I know what I want. What I need.

Nash’s arms around me, holding me tight.

His lips meet mine in an instant. Apparently thought wasn’t required on his part either. Which makes me happier than I can express. There’s a comfort in them—a tenderness that doesn’t have a name—showing me that he’s with me.

I deepen the kiss, wanting more, needing the comfort it’s providing. Nash tightens his hold on me, one arm wrapped around my waist, the other sliding up my back, hand cradling the nape of my neck. His rough hand against my bare skin sends a shiver down my spine, straight between my legs.

Moaning, I try to pull back, wanting to catch my breath, but Nash doesn’t let me. He pulls me in impossibly closer, our bodies already pressed together so tight nothing would fit between us. Which is exactly how I want it.

Because forget everything else. All I want in this moment is to get lost in this man.

For everything that happened in the past to stay there. To disappear like writing in the sand as the waves crash onto shore.

“Nash…” I whisper into the kiss, unable to break away.

“I’m here, baby.”

Baby…

Not princess. Not any of the other stupid things he’s called me over the years. Baby. Like I'm his and his alone. As if he’s mine. All mine.

My heart cracks open, a warmth oozing from it, spreading through me, taking over. It overwhelms my thoughts, stealing all my concentration, making my pulse race.

“I…I…”

I can’t even form the words to say it. Because I don’t know how to. I don’t know what this is, coursing through me. Controlling me.

It’s a need so strong that it takes on a form of its own. A desire so deep it’s carving canyons into my soul. I feel exposed and vulnerable, and yet, the safest I’ve ever felt.

“What, baby? What do you need?”