He starts to say something but then closes his mouth. He blinks his eyes closed and, when he opens them, changes the subject. “I let you out of my sight that night. I should have known you were out there. I should have saved you… You know, I wasn’t sure you were alive until I saw you in the Crypt that day. Do you remember?”

I think back to the first time I laid eyes on him. “You were studying the Voynich manuscript…”

“Yes. The Voynich,” he repeats slowly. “I’ve never been more relieved. Those two days of not knowing were hell. I never want to feel that again.”

“But it’s not your job to save me,” I say, retreating from the intensity that makes me want to be wrapped up in him.

“I have to. I can’t help it.”

I shake my head. “You know all my secrets. You know how terrible I was, about my lies, my cover-ups, and you still want to protect me… Nobody has ever wanted me for me. Ever.”

“Ellie, the one night I spent in the world you came from was the worst one of my life. It’s left me with scars that will never heal.” He runs his thumb over my lips. “I don’t know how you survived as long as you did. I don’t blame you for any of it.”

Tears sting my eyes. I fill my lungs, and my words come out in a rush. “I don’t blame you either… In fact, I like you, too.”

A smile spreads over his face, and his hands move to my jaw. He presses his forehead against mine, the connection buzzing between our brains dizzying me.

Tilting my chin toward his, he presses his lips to mine. The kiss is soft at first. Warmth spreads through me as he coaxes my mouth open, and, closing my eyes, I give in to the swirl.

“We’re not allowed to do this,” I murmur as his mouth lowers to my throat, igniting my body in shivers.

“I know…” He settles me onto the couch, his knee parting my thighs. Coming up for air, he locks eyes with me. “But maybe if only we know…”

“It’s enough.” I finish his sentence, running my hands down his chest, mesmerized by his strength.

Caught in a tidal wave of adrenaline and emotion, I pull him into me, pressing my body against his. He again finds my lips. His chin is rough against mine, and my fingers are in his hair, and we are pinned together. I know I should stop it, but some part of me has already given in. I can’t get enough of him, and I don’t overthink it. What happens next is inevitable.

Hot pink is too much to resist.

I send out love, and it is love I receive in return.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Chapter Forty-Seven

March 20X6, Menlo Park