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He falls back roughly to his bed, staring at the ceiling, putting his hand over his eyes in frustration.
“I knew what she was. I should’ve taken proper precautions to make sure she was unable to get out. I put you and everyone else in danger.”
“You ended it.”
He scoffs bitterly. “To think what could’ve happened if I hadn’t heard your scream. She could’ve killed you.”
“But she didn’t, and I have you to thank for that,” I say, truly meaning it. I don’t have the energy to question the what-ifs at this point. So much bad has happened over the past few weeks that I just want to hold on to the wins. I’m breathing, and I have him to thank. He is my most unlikely savior, yet a savior is what he is.
“I want to talk to you about something else,” I say, needing to get this all out before I change my mind.
“Shh,” he says, quieting me. “We have all the time the world, but you need rest right now.”
I shake my head.
“No, Julian. This needs to be said.” My voice leaves little room for argument. “When were you going to tell me that you’re engaged?”
He sits up quickly, eyes wide.
“How? Who?”
“Katina,” I offer, to prevent the guessing game. “It’s not like you owe me an explanation, Julian. I’m nothing more than a prisoner.”
I pray that he doesn’t agree with me. If he does, I might die right here of a broken heart.
“You’re more than that to me and you know it. Don’t belittle what you mean to me, Marina.” His eyes soften. “Please don’t ever question that you areeverythingto me.”
I take a deep cleansing breath, relieved at hearing exactly what I needed to hear from him.
Sitting up, I bring my lips to his without warning. The need inside me grows faster by the second. My lips move urgently with his, hands working quickly to undo his pants. I’m in uncharted territory here, acting on autopilot, but I know what I want, and it’s him. Now. Always. Until my last breath.
We’re in sync, both lost in each other, until Julian pulls away, leaving me confused and gasping for air.
“Whoa,” he says, putting up his hands. “We... can’t do this.”
I frown, heart stopping momentarily. Is he refusing me?
“But I feel the same way. You just said—” My words come out jumbled and rushed.
“God, Marina. It’s not that I don’t want this. You’ve been through so much, and I don’t want our first time to be when you’re under duress. I want you to be of sound mind, and you deserve my patience.”
“My mind couldn’t be any clearer, Julian Bellamy. I don’t know when it happened, but at some point, I fell in love.”
He takes my cheeks in his hands. “It’s you. Only you, Marina.
“Adèle?” I ask, needing to put my fears where she’s concerned to rest. She’s the only thing standing in our way.
“That’s been something that our families have pressed since her birth. Neither one of us wants it. She’s not you. She’ll never be you.”
“Please don’t push me away. I need you.”
I watch the war in his eyes. The need to care for me and not push versus the need he has for me too.
“Are you sure?” His penetrating eyes beg me to be sure.
I nod my head. “I’ve never been more sure.”
Slowly, he lowers me to the bed, bringing his head down to plant soft kisses on my cheek. His canine trails a line down my neck, stopping right at the curve. He inhales deeply.
