If You Hate Me

by Helena Hunting

And this kiss, this one fucking kiss is everything I didn’t want it to be. It’s not like any other. We’re years of history colliding. Her mouth on mine is a balm, and desperation has me tipping her head so I can deepen the kiss. I shouldn’t be doing this, but I can’t stop. All I want is more.

For a moment he’d seemed almost vulnerable. That’s the Tristan I had glimpses of as a teen. The one who would steal a peony from his neighbor’s garden and leave it on my dresser because he knew I loved them. That was the Tristan who reassured me.

I don’t want to stop. All I could think about was coming home. I wanted you to be here.

“I slept like shit. All I wanted was you.” His lips brush over mine. “You’re all I ever want.”