I reached for the back of my neck, trailing my fingers over the tingling that began at the top of my spine. My mind so lost in my heartache and memories as I stared out the window of the foreign house Beck had left me in that I didn’t notice the familiarity in that buzz or the way the air seemed to shift around me until he spoke.
“Truth or dare.”
I sucked in a sharp breath and turned, sure I was dreaming when I saw Dare in front of me. “What are you doing here?”
“I live here.”
“You what?” My eyes darted around the room, surprise filling me.
His voice was gruff, his stare grave when he repeated, “Truth or dare.”
I opened my mouth to respond with dare but after everything we’d been through . . . all the lies . . . I wanted the opportunity to give him every truth I had.
“Truth.”
“Did we meet by chance?”
“Yes,” I responded, my shoulders sagging. “Teagan found out I was alive and came looking for me. She asked me to meet her the next day at Brooks Street. She didn’t know who you were either. She was furious when she realized I was falling for you simply because you weren’t Kieran.”
He took a few steps closer, his face remaining impassive. “And when you found out who I was, what did you do?”
“Tried to run,” I admitted. “It was after our first night together. I woke up and freaked because I knew someone would notice I was gone soon if they hadn’t already, and then I saw your back. But then I decided that it didn’t matter . . . and then Einstein found me, and I realized you were Demitri instead of just Dare. Before I could make it out of the house, she stopped me and made me think. And I knew our names and our families didn’t change what I felt.”
“She knew who you were.”
It wasn’t a question, but I nodded anyway.
“Makes sense. She was the only person other than Johnny who knew I was coming for you last week. I needed her there to cut the power because she would’ve done it a hell of a lot faster than I did. She lost it, tried to get us not to go.”
“How is she?” I asked, my heart aching for the crazy, wild-eyed girl.
Dare shrugged but didn’t answer.
“And you?”
He stared at me for so long that I started to wonder if he would respond. “I’m empty,” he finally said. “I keep waiting for you to show up, or expecting to step into a room and find you there. When Gia died, I threw myself into work—pulling the family out of illegal stuff where I could, and helping Kieran where he needed it. But I don’t know how to get through any of this without you. I never wanted to see you again, but I don’t know how to let you go when all I want is to be able to reach out and feel you, or turn and see you smile.”
The way he let the last word hang in the air let me know he wasn’t done, and I dreaded what came next because I had a feeling I knew.
But when seconds came and went without him continuing, I shrugged helplessly. “But I’m not the girl you want there,” I whispered. “Dare, I’m sorry for all the pain I caused you. It ate at me knowing how it was going to destroy you when you found out, but I couldn’t give up that time with you when I knew we had so little of it. Who we are to each other . . . I would spend the rest of my life trying to find a way to change that, but nothing can. The girl you fell in love with is me, but I can never be Elle. She’s a horrible excuse for a disguise and a mystery you couldn’t solve. Now that it has been . . . she’s just Lily. She’s only me with contacts and glasses. She’s a girl you hate.”
His head shook subtly. “I love you in a way I never knew was possible.”
A shuddering breath forced from my lungs and my heart began pounding so rapidly at his admission that it was nearly painful.
And I cherished every painful beat because they let me know this was real.
I was sure the first time he’d said those words it was the beginning of the end . . . and hearing them now, they felt like the beginning of forever.
And I’d thought I’d lost him.
Dare closed the distance between us, each step slow and calculated, each step creating a frenzy inside me. When he reached me, he slid an arm around my waist and cradled my face with his hand in a move so natural and without hesitation I wanted to cry.
“I love you in a way that shouldn’t be possible,” he breathed, his knowing eyes searching my own. “Tell me you lied.”
I blinked quickly, trying to understand his urgent plea. “What?”
“Tell me you lied. Tell me there’s still a spark or an ember, and I’ll find a way to keep it alive until the day I die.”
“You got my note.”
“Lily,” he said on a groan, dropping his forehead against mine.
My breath caught at the sound of my name on his lips. It was a moment I hadn’t realized I’d spent years longing for—needing. And in that instant, I felt the peace and comfort I’d been searching for.
Dare was my home. He was where I would always belong.
I tentatively reached up to press my mouth to his, my soul rejoicing in having this connection with him again when I was so sure I never would.
“I was wrong,” I whispered against the kiss. “If you’re here we still have everything.”
“You’re done lying, and you’re done disappearing,” he said, his voice nothing more than a rumble. “I’ll follow you across the world but no more chasing. I want you to be mine.”
A rush of air tumbled from my lips when I searched his eyes. Worry and unrestrained need swirled in their depths. “Can’t you see I’ve been yours?”
“Then give me your days and nights. Give me your forever.”
“They’re yours if you’ll wait for me to light up the after.”
Our next kiss was all-consuming.
Match lit.
Fire burning beyond control.
I was lost.
In him. In this kiss. In us.
And I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to be found.