MORE (Completed)

Chapter 23

God, I missed his taste. His mouth. The way he makes me feel when he kisses me with those red, impossibly soft lips. I pull him closer—if that's even possible—my fingers roaming over his chest, pushing off his jacket before curling around his neck. My tongue explores his mouth hungrily, desperately, like I've been starved for him. And in a way, I have.

I gasp for breath, only to dive back in. His hands are in my hair now, fingertips brushing the back of my neck, gentle—too gentle for the heat that's blazing inside me. Where I'm fire, he's control. And I want him to burn with me.

I kiss him so hard I feel it in my bones. My lips nibble, demand, tease. My tongue toys with his, coaxing, calling. He groans into my mouth—and I want to devour it.

But then—

"Ash... Ashley, wait," he pants, lips brushing mine as he tries to pull back.

I whimper without meaning to, a sound that betrays just how badly I want him. Need him. I lean in again, terrified that if I let go, he'll disappear. That this moment—this perfect impossible moment—will slip through my fingers like mist.

But he takes my wrists gently, peels my hands from the back of his neck, and brings them between us. My chest rises and falls quickly, erratically, as I stare at him in confusion.

"Nooo..." I protest, trying to steal another kiss, but he stops me with one more firm, lingering look.

"Ashley," he says, "I'm serious" his voice firm, steady.

"So am I," I try to tease, hoping to lighten the tension, but he doesn't budge.

"Are you?" he counters, brows drawn together, hands still holding mine. "Because I am."

The way he says it, the conviction in his voice, steals my breath.

"You can't kiss me like that and then walk away. You can't regret it in the morning or pretend it didn't happen," he says, and I can see he's fighting hard to stay calm. "Because this—" he motions between us, "this isn't a game. Not to me."

He lets go of my hands, softly, giving me space... and choice.

"I don't want to feel this way about you," I blurt, almost accusing him.

He stays quiet, still, waiting for me to unravel.

"I didn't expect you, Harry. I didn't plan for you. You... you came out of nowhere and messed everything up."

His lips twitch, but he lets me keep going.

"And I was fine. Before. At least I thought I was. But now..." I shake my head, my words falling apart, emotion climbing higher in my throat.

"You make me feel things I haven't felt in years. Things I thought were long dead. And I don't know what to do with that," I finish, voice barely above a whisper.

He's still watching me, quiet, eyes soft but so sure. He gives me the space to find the truth for myself—and I do.

"I want this," I finally admit. "I want you. But I need to know that you're serious. That this isn't just a... a phase. A rebellion."

He nods slowly, his gaze never leaving mine.

"There's a lot at stake now," I murmur. "So much more than before."

"We'll be careful. We'll protect it," he promises softly, like a vow only meant for the two of us.

I nod. It's not enough, but it's everything.

He smiles then, slow and cocky, that boyish charm breaking through.

"So... you want this?"

"Yes," I breathe.