It was all I had time to say. My body shuddered with the intensity of my climax. Kiera came a second after me, her body tightening around me as she rode out the bliss, mumbled words about loving me more than anything escaping from her lips.

A part of me wanted to keep going even though it was over, but I was so tired, so completely and utterly spent, I just couldn’t. I slumped against her body for a second, catching my breath, then I shifted to her side and pulled her into my body. I never wanted to let her go again.

I kissed her hair, grateful for that moment, grateful for this one, grateful for all the future ones we might still get to share. If we could start being honest with each other. Brutally honest. “I promise I won’t keep anything from you again,” I pledged.

She stared at me a second, her gaze warm and peaceful, her eyes shimmering, then she nodded and softly kissed me. “And I promise that I won’t keep anything from you either.”

I nodded, accepting her promise, then I squeezed her tight. Never again.

Chapter 32

TRYING AGAIN

Kiera drifted off to sleep, but I stayed awake, holding her, stroking her soft skin. I didn’t have much time with her, and I didn’t want to waste a second of it sleeping. But so much had happened in so little time that I was definitely drained. I was certain the second I was on that plane back to the guys, I would pass out. But for now…I would fight it. Anything to stay with her.

But time was against me, and eventually the clock on my nightstand told me I needed to get up, needed to start getting ready. I did not want to…but I owed Matt. And Kiera and I were fine. I could go back and stop worrying, stop stressing, stop causing myself pain. Things would be better now, and that made it a little easier to leave.

And besides, I’d be back. Maybe after the tour ended. Definitely for her graduation. And after she graduated…the world would be wide open for her. Maybe she could come to me then. I couldn’t think of a single reason why she couldn’t.

With that wonderful thought in my brain, I carefully slipped out of bed. I took a nice, long shower, letting the emotional weariness of the last several hours rinse off of me. Kiera was still zonked when I was done, her bare body sprawled across my bed, under my sheets. I really liked the visual of her draped over my mattress, but I let her sleep and got dressed in some fresh clothes. And then, because I loved her and I was going to miss her, I shoved one final note into the pocket of one of her jeans. Remember today, that I love you.