"I...I'm sorry," I said."I didn't mean...I shouldn't be here.The last thing I want is to force you into..."
I blew out a breath, frustration and confusion swirling inside me.
"Claire," he said.
"No, it's fine," I replied, shaking my head."I'm sorry."
"Don't—"
I turned to open the door, but Christian's hand shot out, slamming it shut.The force of it vibrated through the small room.I turned back to him, my heart racing, confusion etched on my face.
Before I could utter another word, he kissed me.It wasn’t the hesitant kiss from before; this was raw and passionate.His hands cupped my face, pulling me closer as if he was afraid I'd slip away.
My mind went blank for a moment, overwhelmed by the intensity of his touch.Every inch of me felt electrified as his lips moved against mine, communicating everything he couldn’t put into words.
When we finally broke apart, we were both breathless.His forehead rested against mine, eyes closed as if grounding himself in the moment.
"I don't want to push you away," he murmured, voice rough with emotion."But you'll regret being with someone like me."
"Let me decide that," I whispered back, reaching up to run my fingers through his hair.
He looked at me then, really looked at me, and for the first time since he'd arrived at the inn, I saw a glimmer of vulnerability in his eyes.
Maybe this was unfair to both of us.Maybe it would end in heartache.But right now, standing here with him, it felt like the most honest thing in the world.
And sometimes honesty was all you needed to start something real.
"Claire," he whispered again.
I shuddered at the sound of my name in his low voice.His breath warmed my cheek as he played with a strand of my hair, winding it around his fingers.
"I don't want you to deal with the rumors," he murmured, his tone heavy with regret.
"It's a small town," I pointed out."I've been dealing with rumors my whole life."
"These are different," he said, his eyes darkening."I can't even go back home.You don't understand."
"I know I don't," I replied, meeting his gaze steadily."I know."
His hands tightened around the strand of hair, his expression pained."These hands, Claire," he said, voice rough and broken."They've killed."
"I know."
"You don't," he insisted, his grip on my hair loosening."I don't regret anything I did.Any of it."
His gaze was piercing, searching my face for any sign of hesitation or fear.I stared at him, understanding dawning on me slowly.This was more than just a troubled past; this was a man who had done what he believed necessary, no matter the cost.
My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to process the weight of his confession.I reached out, placing my hand over his where it rested against my cheek.
"Christian," I whispered, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me.
He looked at me, vulnerability flickering in his eyes for just a moment before it was replaced by that same guarded look.
"I'm not asking you to justify anything to me," I said softly."I'm just asking you to… to give me a chance."
His eyes softened slightly, but the pain and guilt remained etched into his features.He didn't pull away this time; instead, he leaned in closer, resting his forehead against mine once more.
We stood there in silence, the weight of our shared moment pressing down on us like a tangible force.For now, it was enough just to be together in this room, no words needed to bridge the gap between our fractured souls.
