“New rule,” he said, the words stopping me. “I kiss you.” My voice came out weakly, tired. I didn’t want a new rule. I didn’t want rules at all. “That’s already one.” “No.” His head gave a shake. “We don’t just kiss if we must, from now on. I kiss you. I kiss you like I’ve wanted to do for weeks now. Not because we have to, but because I fucking need to.” A breath heaved out of his chest. “Because you need me to. And because you know what it’ll mean, no matter what’s down the line.”
