Resilient (Tainted Elements, #6)

by Alycia Linwood

  We both burst out laughing. When our laughter died down and the hallway was empty, I grabbed Jaiden by the shirt and pulled him to me, my mouth crashing against his. His tongue parted my lips, exploring and teasing. My back hit the wall and I wound my fingers into his hair, tugging lightly.

  When we pulled away, we were both breathless. I took his hand, a smile curving my lips, and we entered the room to help my parents with their bags.

  Chapter 27

  Six months later

  I leaned my head on Jaiden’s shoulder as we were sitting on the stone steps and gazing at the sunset. When the big, red ball started to disappear on the horizon, I twisted in Jaiden’s embrace and captured his lips with mine. When we broke apart, I stared at the sea and the waves crashing against the cliffs.

  “It’s so beautiful... and so peaceful,” I said as Jaiden ran his fingers through my hair.

  “So... is this your final answer? You want to live here?” he asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Even though we don’t speak a word of Greek?” There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

  “So? There are plenty of tourists and everyone speaks English anyway. Besides, we can learn a new language. Why not?” I pushed myself up to my feet. A thin line was all that was left of the sun above the sea. “We can always move somewhere else when get bored of this place.”

  Jaiden shrugged.

  “I want a nice house with a great view. And enough rooms so we can throw parties and invite all of our friends to come visit us.”

  “Sure. Why don’t you make a list of everything you want?” He grinned, getting up.

  “I would, but I’m getting really hungry.” I rubbed my stomach.

  “Good. I want to show you something.” He offered me his hand and I took it. We went upstairs and emerged into a narrow street. He led me toward a small restaurant, and when we stepped inside, I let out a loud gasp.

  “Mom! Dad!” Tears prickled my eyes as I ran toward them and pulled them both into a fierce hug. “Oh my God, I missed you so much. When did you get here?”

  “A few hours ago,” my mom said, and kissed my cheek. Her blonde hair was even more curly and longer than it’d seemed during our video chats, and my dad’s hair was combed to the different side from the usual.

  “Your boyfriend invited us, said you’d probably be staying here for a while, so we left everything and immediately came over,” my dad said, his eyes sparkling with delight. “We needed a vacation too. All the research, serums, and elements won’t go anywhere. Well, at least not for a week or two.”

  “I can’t believe you’re really here!” Ever since my parents headed back home with Lily and everyone else, I’d been hoping to find an opportunity to go see them, but since Jaiden and I had been traveling all over Europe, there hadn’t been time. I’d never expect he’d contact my parents for me. I hadn’t even mentioned to him how much I missed them, but he must have guessed.

  I turned toward Jaiden and pulled him into my arms, hugging him tightly to me. He closed his eyes, lowering his lips to mine and I closed the distance between us. “I love you so much,” I said, pressing my forehead against his.

  “I love you too,” he said, his dark brown eyes as warm as ever.

  I grinned at him, and we all took a seat at the table. As Jaiden’s hand found mine under the table, I knew that this was the happiest I’d ever been and I hoped that it would last.

  ###

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  More books (prequel series) set in the same world as the Tainted Elements:

  The Element Preservers series:

  DANGEROUS (Book 1)

  RUNAWAY (Book 2)

  DIVIDED (Book 3)

  NO ONE (Book 3.5)

  RESTLESS (Book 4)

  INDESTRUCTIBLE (Book 5)

  http://alycialinwood.weebly.com/element-preservers-series.html

  Other books by Alycia Linwood:

  HUMAN

  THE DEADLY DESTINY SERIES

  More info: http://alycialinwood.weebly.com/