"I wasn't trying to ignore you," I admit roughly. My hands frame her face like holding something precious, tilting her chin up. "I was trying to stay away," I continue, truth burning out of me. "And I failed miserably."

There’s no hiding now, just us and everything buried beneath my skin.

"Don't you get it?"

"Get what?" Her voice wavers.

"I was keeping my distance because I knew I couldn't have you." The words tighten like a noose, but she needs to know how she's become my gravity.

"What does that even mean, Nate?"

"I told you. I can lose everything and can say goodbye to everyone else, but not you, Leni. Not you. But I'm done fighting it," I surrender.

"Nate?" Her gaze drops to my lips. “Kiss me."

"If I kiss you," I murmur, "I won't want to stop."

"So don't."

I close the distance and everything dissolves into her—her sweet taste, her touch electric as lightning, her body fitting against mine like puzzle pieces completing a picture. My hands tighten in her hair, pulling her closer as she clutches my shirt, matching my need, my desire for her and only her.

Her soft moan breaks something loose as my lips part hers, claiming them. Her legs tremble, and I hold her tighter, holding us both steady. But it's not enough—it's never going to be enough.

"We should head back," I manage, though everything in me screams to keep her close.

She sighs and takes my hand.

Inside, silence wraps around us. The house is spotless, showing no signs that a party took place only hours earlier.

Nora turns with a teasing smile that makes my heart stumble. "You're actually walking me to my door?"

"I wouldn't want you to trip over the floorboards," I smirk, but catch her wrist when she playfully shoves me.

Our lips meet again, and her hands close around my neck until there's no space between us.

"I need to—" I whisper, shaking with restraint.

"Stay. You need to stay."

I rest my forehead against hers, letting her read the truth in my eyes.

"I sleep better when you're next to me," she confesses.

"Me too," I admit.

I lay beside her and her sleepy voice whispers, "You have a big heart, Nate. It's always in the right place."

I hold her tighter, breathing her in as she claims my arm around her waist.

"I'll keep the demons away if you do the same for me."

She doesn't know she already does.

As her breathing evens, something shifts inside me like tectonic plates realigning. I'm falling toward a truth I've fought too hard to ignore.