Page 149 of Aviatrix

“The last couple of years have been hard,” he admits. “Lots of classified solo missions.”

“Yeah,” I say softly.

“When I needed to… not feel so alone, I’d find you,” he confesses. “I just needed to see you. Even if it was only for an hour.”

My heart aches at his words. He would always show up just long enough to say hello, to tease me, to remind me he was still alive. Then he’d disappear again, flying off like a ghost.

“I didn’t know.”

“When you got engaged, that was the rough day.” He swallows hard. “I… I thought I’d lost you.”

My throat burns as he removes his gloves, one at a time.

I don’t know what to say. How do I tell him he’s the reason I never set a wedding date? That I didn’t know how to let him go. How to let us go?

His hands rest at his waist, and my gaze follows the dip of his shorts.

I’ve been dodging the Eli-distraction for years. Mostly because I was scared. Scared he’d leave again. Scared he’d break me in new ways. Scared I’d never find anyone who made me feel the way he does.

I pull off my gloves and toss them to the mat. Then, I step forward and press my palm to the center of his chest.

“I never set a wedding date,” I tell him. “Lark asked a hundred times. I just… couldn’t do it.”

Eli’s jaw ticks, but he won’t meet my gaze. “Why not?”

I sigh, wishing I could say it without handing him my whole heart. “Because I was always waiting for you to show up again.”

His eyes finally meet mine. For one long, electric beat, we just stare.

A second later, he reaches for me, pulling me in and kissing me like it’s the only truth he knows.

This time, the world isn’t ending.

It feels like it’s just beginning.

I wrap my arms around his neck as his hands slide beneath my thighs. He lifts me easily, and my legs circle his waist. Our bare stomachs press together, slick with sweat and heat, as he carries me through the workout room toward the lockers.

I don’t ask where we’re going. I just keep kissing him, holding on to what has always felt a little like mine.

Maybe we’re older now. Wiser. Hardened by everything we’ve survived, but not so jaded that we’ve forgotten how to find our way back.

The door clicks shut behind us, followed by the turn of the lock. Eli carries me deeper into the room, but I keep my eyes closed, unwilling to let anything outside this moment exist.

Then comes the hiss of water.

“Where are we?” I mumble against his mouth, not really wanting to know.

“The shower.” His laugh is soft and warm. “Why are your eyes still closed?”

“I don’t want this to end.”

Eli lowers me gently to my feet. Cool water sprays over my ankles, startling enough to pull me back into my body.

“We’re just getting started,” he murmurs, his fingers settling at my waist. “That is, if you want—”

“I want it.”

The answer comes quickly, but it’s certain.