Her eyebrows pull together in a frown. “How did she think she would get away with that?”
“She was hoping she could convince her parents to play along. Unfortunately for her, I overheard her, and everything came out.”
“Everything?”
I nod. “I know I’m not with Zara and haven’t been for months, and that I came here with Jacob and fell in love with you.”
“You remember!” she gasps.
“No, baby.” Her face falls and I pull her against me. “I don’t need to remember. I can feel it. I can feel the pull between us. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the hospital. Zara must have seen that. She knew it was only a matter of time before I realized.”
“Realized what?”
“That we’re meant to be together.” My eyes drop to her lips and her tongue darts out to lick them. “Can I kiss you now? I might go mad if I have to wait a minute longer.” Her face erupts into a smile, and I chuckle. “What?”
“You said those exact words to me the first time we kissed.”
“Did I?” She nods. “And what was your answer?”
“I said yes,” she whispers.
I smile and cup her face with my hand, my fingers stroking her cheek. “Is it still a yes?”
“Yes.”
I know I’ve kissed her before, but it’s like the first time all over again for me, and nervous butterflies take flight in my stomach. Lowering my head, I gently brush my lips against hers. I move back a little, my eyes searching hers. She smiles before closing the distance and crashing her lips against mine. Her arms wind around my neck and I circle her waist, pulling her harder against me. I swipe my tongue against her bottom lip, seeking entrance. She opens up to me, her tongue colliding with mine. I can’t get enough of her, my cock hardening in my jeans as she consumes me. How I could ever forget her and how she makes me feel, I’ll never understand. She must be able to feel the effect she’s having on me, and as much as I want to make love to her, I need to know what she’s thinking.
I pull out of the kiss and we’re both panting hard as I rest my forehead on her. “Fuck, Aria. Is it always like that?”
“Yeah.” She chuckles. “Always.” She pauses and lifts her head. “I’ve missed you so much, Jack. When your mom said you’d gone home, I thought I’d never see you again.”
“Aria, you should know I was already having doubts about Zara. I was so unhappy. Nothing felt right unless I was with you. I couldn’t explain it. I just knew I was drawn to you.”
She bites down on her bottom lip, uncertainty etched on her face. “Can I ask you something?”
“You can ask me anything, Aria.”
She takes a deep breath as if preparing herself. “Did you and Zara…” She stops and clears her throat. “Were you and Zara…together?”
“No, baby. I couldn’t bring myself to. She tried, but…” Relief washes over her face before she lets out a breath. “It just didn’t feel right,” I say quietly.
“Thank you for telling me.”
“I’m sorry you had to ask that. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for you. I’m so sorry I can’t remember us.”
“It’s okay, Jack. You just get to experience everything for the first time again. I’m a little jealous,” she jokes.
“You’re not mad at me?”
She frowns. “Mad at you? Why would I be mad at you? I lo…” She trails off, and I know she’s worried about saying those words. Worried I’m not there yet. She has nothing to worry about.
“Say it,” I whisper, my forehead dropping back on hers.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, baby.” I lift my head to see silent tears running down her cheeks, and my heart stutters. “Hey, please don’t cry. I swore I’d never be the reason for your tears again.”
“They’re happy tears, Jack. I promise.”