He shook his head still in her hands, and all she wanted to do was cradle it, hold him to her even as he would leave.

‘You don’t know what you’re saying.’

‘I do,’ she insisted gently. And she did. She felt the rightness of it settle over her skin, sink into her heart, and she knew that she wanted this more than she’d ever wanted anything before.

‘You know that I can’t stay here.’

‘I know that. And I know what I want.’

‘I can’t give you what you deserve,’ he said, finally raising his head and piercing her with his rich golden-flecked gaze.

‘It’s not about what we deserve, Henry. I’m not hiding anymore,’ she said, locking her eyes with his, hoping that he’d see the truth of it, of her. ‘You were right. I’m tired of being safe. And boring—’

‘God, Lily, you’re not boring, you’re … incredible.’

He trailed off, his eyes drawn to her lips and suddenly his mouth was on hers, his hands at her back, bringing her body flush with his as if he wanted to hold her to him and never let go. It was the most incredible feeling she’d ever felt. So thrilled and pleasurable that she was almost dizzy with it. It felt like coming home.

His hand came up to the nape of her neck, warming the skin with the heat of his palm, and gently angling her to deepen the kiss. And with it came need, and desire. She wouldn’t be passive in this. She would claim him as much as he would claim her. Her hands flew to his waist, one arm circling around him to draw them even closer together, the other tracing up his flanks to the biceps of his arm that she’d been so intent on earlier. His skin, smooth beneath hers, hot and enthralling.

The groan that left his throat covered her body, causing her to shiver with need. Knowing that he felt as she did, wanted what she wanted, was empowering, encouraging, firing her desire like nothing ever had before.

Their kiss deepened and became urgent until his lips left hers and he pressed open-mouthed kisses along her neck and collarbone, causing her head to fall back and simply accept the way he worshipped her.

The sigh of her own pleasure filled the air between them and she nearly cried when his lips left her skin. Drawing back in the embrace that still held them together, he pierced her with a gaze so intent.

‘Lily, I want this, I want you, so much. But I can’t promise—’

‘I don’t want promises,’ she said sincerely. ‘I don’t want pretty words that can turn into lies. I want you. Here, now. Please don’t turn me away,’ she almost begged.

‘I would never turn you away, Lily. Ever. Please know that.’