Page 137 of After the Burn

“Past tense?”

“That depends on how much longer you intend to keep talking.” His eyes shone with warmth.

“Asshole.”

“Menace.”

I loved the back-and-forth with this man. And I had a feeling that regardless of how intimate our future relationship became, that would always be a part of it.

His hand tightened at my waist as I shifted closer, pulling his lips back to mine.

Lucas’s fingers slid into my hair, loosening what remained of my braid until damp strands fell around my shoulders.

I made a sound of protest when he tugged lightly. “My hair is filthy, and I’m sure I stink.”

He pulled back, and his eyes roamed over my face. “I’ve never seen you look more beautiful.”

I felt my face grow hot, and to hide my embarrassment, I blurted out. “But you think I stink?”

What the fuck was I doing? I’d waited forever to mend our relationship, and here I was, encouraging him to tell me I stink.

Lucas chuckled. “If you did, I couldn’t smell you over me.” He pulled me close. “Now, kiss me, Menace, and stop worrying about things that don’t matter.”

This kiss was nothing like the other. There was no urgency behind it. No anger.

His mouth settled over mine slowly, almost carefully, and I felt the difference deep in my bones.

I slid my hand up the side of his neck and held him there as the kiss deepened. It was so soft I could feel every tiny shift of his lips against mine. His thumb brushed my cheek while his other hand rested at my waist, neither pulling nor demanding anything of me I wasn’t willing to give.

Steady raindrops pounded the roof, while the landscape beyond the truck dissolved into a damp, misty haze.

There was only Lucas.

When he finally pulled back, he didn’t go far. Just resting his forehead against mine. Neither of us spoke for a few minutes. I could feel his breath against my lips.

Lucas inhaled deeply, then tilted his head back, his gaze locking with mine. “I keep seeing Finley’s face.”

I knew he meant the moment Finley realized the woman he loved had turned.

“He looked like someone had ripped something out of him,” Lucas continued.

“He loves her,” I remarked, knowing the sentiment was plain for all to see.

His fingers tightened around mine. “All I could think was…” he stopped.

“What?”

He shook his head once.

“Lucas?”

His jaw flexed. “If that had been you…”

My chest tightened.

He turned his head to stare at the crack in the windshield, watching rain race down the glass. “I don’t think I understood until tonight.”

“Understood what?”