Damon's chest tightened, the weight of her words slamming into him like a hammer. For a long moment, he simply stared at her, crimson eyes unreadable, his hand still tangled in her hair. The things she mentioned felt as if they had happened a long time ago, as if in another lifetime.
Kate's trembling fingers cupped his face, forcing him to meet her crimson-tinged gaze. She smiled through the tears. "I love you. You big goofy idiot. Stop staring at me like this and say something."
Damon let out a sigh. "I love you too. But I need to tell you-"
Kate did not let him speak. She leaned in closer, her lips pressed against his before the words could leave his mouth. The kiss wasn't gentle, nor was it hesitant. It was desperate, fierce, as if she were pouring every bottled-up emotion, every sleepless night, and every unspoken word straight into him.
Damon froze at first, his mind blank, but then his arms wrapped around her, pulling her in as if she belonged there and nowhere else.
