Softly, I say, “You’re a man.” His lips rise. “You’re just now realizing this, Lily?” He licks his bottom one. It blazes my skin. “It’s just…you seem older,” I breathe. Stronger. Able to withstand things that the world throws at him. “Time will do that,” he murmurs, his mouth so very close to mine. Kiss me. “No,” I whisper. “It’s not time. It’s something else.” I inhale like our bodies have bound together, melded to him with no plan to separate. His eyes glow with realization, sensing what I mean. He’s not frightened of me or my addiction or his own. He has rebuilt every ounce of self-worth
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