The Claiming

Amelia's POV He doesn't let me finish. His arms come around me, pulling me against his chest with a force that steals my breath. And for the first time in three months, I let myself be held. By Victor. By V. By the man who's both and neither, who's flawed and trying, who's chosen me over everything else. "Thank you," he breathes into my hair. "God, Amelia, thank you. I promise I'll spend every day proving you made the right choice. I'll be better. Honest. Real. Whatever you need—" "Victor." I pull back just enough to meet his eyes. "Shut up and kiss me." And he does. His lips taste like three months of hunger, and I'm starving. The kiss breaks only when we both need air, and suddenly we're standing by the pool in our wet swimwear, staring at each other like we've forgotten how to function. "I—" Victor starts, then stops. Runs a hand through his hair. "This is awkward." "Very." I laugh, slightly hysterical. "We just went from boss-secretary to exes to... what are we now?" "Boyfriend and