Ever After by Kate Serine Read Free Book Online Page B

murmured, peering into her beloved face again, knowing I could gaze upon her for eons and still never get enough. “You’re truly alive. How is it possible? How is it you’re here?”
    But instead of explaining her miraculous appearance, she studied me silently, her eyes filling with tears as her fingers came up to caress my cheek, the line of my jaw, my lips. “Oh, my love,” she breathed, her voice breaking. “I’ve missed you so.”
    Then she kissed me again. This time the kiss lingered, drawing out this precious moment that was long overdue. Her lips were as warm and alluring as I’d remembered all these years, parting in the same sweet invitation, drawing me toward a divine bliss where I could lose myself for hours. As the kiss deepened, she straddled my lap, pressing her body closer to mine, her fingers spearing my hair, holding on to me as desperately as I held on to her. And what started as a tender kiss soon became one of longing, of frenzied urgency.
    My God, it was like we’d never been apart. That heated kiss melted away the years in an instant. I clutched her jacket in my fists, desperate to keep her from pulling away, but it was unnecessary. At that moment, my little love was in my arms again, her lips and tongue meeting mine with equal hunger, her hands roaming my neck, my shoulders, holding my face to hers.
    I could’ve gone on kissing her over and over again until the sun dipped down below the horizon, making up for the centuries of kisses I’d missed. My lips clung to hers, but it was not enough. Eager to explore every inch of her skin, I tore my mouth away from hers and kissed her cheeks, each eyelid, her forehead, her jaw in the little spot beside her ear that had always made her laugh. And laugh she did, but it was tainted by tears as her arms went around my neck.
    She whimpered softly as my hands slid beneath the hem of her dress and up her thighs to grasp her hips. I captured her lips again, and for a moment she melted into me, accepting my kiss. But then she abruptly broke away.
    â€œOh, God,” she said on a choked moan. “I can’t do this. I never should’ve let you know I was here.”
    She made to move away, but my hold tightened. “What?” I cried, my hurt and anger taking over now that the return of my joy was on the verge of being snatched away. “Why’re you running away again?”
    â€œJohn, I—”
    â€œThat’s not my name,” I snapped, bitterness creeping in. “My name is Gideon Montrose. It always has been. I haven’t used the name you gave me since that day at the falls.” I studied her closely, my stomach sinking as I watched guilt and regret wash over her. “But I guess you already know that.”
    She averted her eyes, her shoulders sagging. “I can’t take back what I’ve done,” she admitted. “But please know that I never wanted to hurt you. I’ve stayed away, I’ve tried to leave you in peace, to protect you from exactly this kind of hurt.” She heaved a harsh sigh and brought her eyes back up to meet my gaze. “But I just ... I had to see you before I go.”
    I laughed bitterly and gently set her away from me, then got to my feet, pacing in tight designs as I brooded on the situation, not sure how I should feel, what I should say. I wanted nothing more than to sweep her away from there, take her back to my bed and make love to her, lose myself in her arms again, regain that peace and happiness we’d once shared. But it had been five hundred years ... five hundred years of sorrow and remorse that would not abate. And she’d been alive. Alive the entire fucking time, letting me mourn her without respite.
    â€œBefore you go,” I repeated on a chuckle, the sound harsh and unforgiving. And as heartbreak turned to fury, my voice shook when I roared, “Before you go ? I don’t even know where the fuck