“But you wouldn’t let me forget you. Making sure I couldn’t stop thinking about you every morning, being your bossy self, making sure I ate, and driving me nuts with your names. Then as I laid my head down at night, longing for you to hold me so I wasn’t scared. It was then I knew you were so far under my skin that I liked it, and I wasn’t ready to let you go. So, I have been seeing Cherie who has been helping me work through some things, and she not so politely told me I was an idiot if I let you go, but I had already worked that out.” Reaching closer because I can’t stay away anymore, I gently kiss his forehead and look deep into his eyes.

“I love you too, Forrest, and I know I have more work to do on myself, but you’re mine too, and like you, I will fight anyone who tries to take you from me. Apparently being a bit possessive is the new me.”

“Nothing new about that,” Forrest mumbles, and we both laugh.

“Oh, just shut up and kiss me, will you. That way I can say breaking my rules of no touching or kissing was all your fault.” Not moving my head even a fraction, I wait for him to come to me.

“You don’t have to tell me twice.”

The moment our lips touch is like the world shifts and everything falls into perfect alignment again.

“My heart has been aching for you.” Forrest pulls back slightly as he whispers these words and then pushes his hand into my hair and takes me with a kiss that is all about reminding me that my heart aches for him too.

As much as I want this and so much more, I push away and leave us both panting, and his eyes are full of that lust that I love so much.

“I want this, oh God, how I want this, but I promised myself I wouldn’t, and I need to stay true to that. It’s part of my healing that I need to take this slow. I can’t just jump straight back to where we were. Plus, I don’t want to fuck you when I’m still so pissed off with you. Don’t think I have forgotten what you said, and we are about to discuss that further.”

“Beautiful, I told you I’ll wait. The fact you are still thinking about fucking me is enough for me right now. Because to be honest, I’m not sure I’m in the best shape for that today. Let me just hold you. I need that just as much as you do.” And it’s the hint of vulnerability in his voice that does me in.