“Alaric?” The heat of her palms on my cheeks pushes a growl out of me. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry.” Without thinking, I yank her close, devouring her mouth. “I’m so fucking sorry, little devil.” Another kiss, followed by three more. “I should’ve listened. Should’ve realized sooner that if anyone could get me, it would be you. Only you.”
“There’s nothing to get.” Our foreheads are pressed together when she slides her hands into my hair. I love how her nails dig into my scalp. “I’ve loved you for who you are from day one. Nothing’s changed. Or, wait. One thing has.”
My lungs deflate as I wait for the other shoe to drop. ThebutI’ve been dreading.
“What thing?”
“You’re more perfect than I thought.”
Light explodes from within me, washing away the dirt, guilt, and rot that have been growing inside me for years.
Lilith is that light.
She’s that fire that cleanses me, that gives new meaning to my life.
“Fuck, I love you,” I growl before tilting her beautiful face, stealing those lips that eagerly part for me. “I. Love. You.”
“I love you too.”
She smiles. She cries. She lets me hold her until her tears run dry. She lets me keep kissing her until it feels like we’re floating, like our souls bind together in a way that is uniquely ours.
Then, when we’re back in our bodies, we pack Fraser up. Dress in clean clothes.
And head out to dump him down the Hudson River.
38
LILITH
When Hope walks through the door of our apartment, I practically jump off Alaric’s lap.
After we were done with Fraser, we returned to Alaric’s place, napped until noon, then changed into our ridiculous matching gray sweatpants and shirts. Ever since, we’ve been hanging out here, waiting for her.
I love Alaric’s apartment, but I’ve missed my friend. My sister.
My hope.
The sight of her smiling and happy strips away some of the guilt from disappearing, from bailing on my shifts.
“Oh my God.” She laughs as I fold her into a tight hug. “It’s only been two days; there’s no way you’ve missed me that much.”
“I totally did.”
She smells of coffee and whatever they served at the cafeteria today, and wow, I’ve missed that too.
“Lil.” Her hands find my shoulders, and she pulls back. Then she slides her eyes to Alaric, then to me, and asks, “Did something happen? Do I need to kill him? Just say the word.”
“What?” Stunned at the question, my eyebrows fly up. “No. Why would you say that?”
“Thank fuck.” A ragged exhale escapes her. “You were too excited to see me. At first, I thought it was just you being you, until I noticed him being so…quiet.”
“Hi, Hope.” Alaric finally walks up to us. He drapes an arm around my shoulders, his eyes kind and a little soft as he looks at me. “I didn’t want to get in the way, that’s all. But.” His attention turns to her, a rare smile breaking across his face. “If you need some time alone, I’m perfectly fine with leaving.”
“No, no,” Hope stammers, red tainting her cheeks. “Please, stay. It’s just, I’m really protective of Lil.”
“Fully aware.” His smile widens. “And I respect what you have. If you need space, say it, and I’m gone.”