Josie
I thought I would burst into flames at the words Varen spoke. They were so raw, so searing, so filled with a tenderness I wasn't prepared for, that my chest tightened painfully. His voice wasn't raised, but every syllable carried weight.
"I'm tired of the fights, Josie," he said, his gaze searching mine as though afraid I might look away. "I want this—us—to be real. I don't want to pressure you, I don't want to break you. But when I messed up the other day, it felt like a piece of my soul cracked. You're that piece. You're what's holding me together. Without you…" His words faltered, his throat working as he tried again. "Without you, I don't even know where I'd be."
My breath hitched. My heart pounded so hard in my chest, I was sure he could hear it. I felt dizzy, weightless, like I was suspended between heaven and something even greater.
"Varen…" I whispered, but the rest of my words got lost as I tilted my head up and pressed my lips to his.
