The Book of G

by Lily Archer

“Why is that? He not wicked enough for you?” “No.” She shoves me again, fire in her eyes when I meet her gaze. “Because I’m in love with you.” I stop. Everything stops. I’d imagined those words from her lips more times than I could count, but actually hearing them is … It’s something else, something I never could’ve conjured in my wildest dreams. I may not remember my past, but I know without a doubt that I’ve never felt this before, because it’s something more powerful than memory. Something unforgettable. “Didn’t you know?” Her voice is softer now. “No.” I swallow the lump of emotion in my throat. Can this be true? How can she love me when I look like this, when I’m so fucking broken inside and out? “God, that look.” She presses her palms to my cheeks, her voice soft now. “You, G. Not you with a different face or you with a past you can remember. I’m in love with you.” She gets on her tiptoes and kisses me, her lips tender against mine. “Never doubt it.” My mind wants to doubt, to tell her that she couldn’t possibly love me. Not like this. Not when she’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever beheld. But my wicked streak is still here, still branded beneath my skin, because I don’t care if I don’t deserve her. I want her, and I’ll gut anyone who comes between us. “There he is.” She kisses me again. “I can tell when you decide to do the wrong thing.” I bite her bottom lip. “How’s that?” “You get this vicious look in your eye.” She kisses one corner of my lips. “And you smi...