Fault Line (Coastal University #2)

by Ki Stephens

We lived, lulled, on the fault line of chaos. Change could come explosively, and out of nowhere. WALLY LAMB

“I’ve been thinking about it, and I feel like I deserve to get railed this weekend.”

“So, what you’re saying is that you want to be my last resort?” A smirk tilts my lips. “As long as I’m your something.”

“If it wasn’t obvious by now—I kinda give a shit about you, Karras.”

Maybe it’s just a fluke. Maybe I’m just overthinking things like usual. But then I remember the way I asked him to stay the night, the way he held me, comforted me this past week. And when we woke up together, I didn’t want him to leave. Fucking hell. I really, genuinely like the guy, don’t I?

I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, and the thought of that is terrifying. But it’s also exhilarating, knowing how much I want her—to hold her, to be with her, to go through this phase of life with her by my side. And it feels really fucking good to know we’re on the same page now.

The ocean stretches out before us, vast and unending, and for a moment, it feels like we’re the only two people in the world. I turn to Kaia, noticing the way the morning light enhances her sharp features. The wind catches her hair, sending dark strands of it flying around her face. It’s a moment I’m committing to memory, filing away in my bank of Kaia.

Despite our history, I’m so fucking thankful that she’s given us a real chance. I press a kiss to her crown, hold her against me, and make a silent promise here and now: I’ll do everything in my power not to screw this up.

In this moment, at the top of the lighthouse with the moonlight streaming in, I feel like we’ve truly found something special. That there’s this unbreakable bond that’s woven its way between us. And as we lie here, entwined beneath the stars, slumber tugging at the edges of our consciousness, I know that there’s nothing—in this entire goddamn world—that could feel any better than this.

“Kaia, these past two and a half years have been the most incredible journey of my life. We’ve faced challenges and overcome them together, always emerging stronger and more united than before. I can’t imagine my life without you, and I never fucking want to. You’re my rock, my inspiration, my everything.”