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The bruises marking his face do nothing to shield the truth from me. We understand each other too well. Know too much.
I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, and his eyes narrow. I ignore that I notice it.
“Do you know when you’ll be released?”
His lips thin out to the same paper-thin line of his slits for eyes and I’m grateful he’s restricted to his bed. The distance makes this easier than if he were closer. If he could touch me…
“You’re stalling.”
No, I’m lying, which isn’t much better. Hailey’s been keeping me up to date on everything.
He answers me anyway, turning his head toward the window. “They think it should be soon. Finn will be a few more days because he might need surgery on his arm.”
The ticcing of his jaw holds all my focus.
Shuffling my feet, I clear my throat, awkward doesn’t begin to describe this right now. This isn’t us, we aren't like this.
We’re like a flame trying to burn without oxygen. All we need is a breath to spark. Question is, I’m not sure between the pair of us who’s willing to offer it up.
“Princess.” That name is dropped from his mouth like he was desperate.
My teeth clench in anger, or is it sadness?
The intensity in those icicle eyes is too much, but I refuse to break. I’ve been a coward enough lately.
“…I love you,” he says and my head is already moving, not wanting to hear this. Anything but that.
The sincerity in his tone nearly breaks me, slicing me right down the middle.
“Why would you say that?” I ask, gasping.
“Because it’s the truth,” he snarls. “You know it.Iknow it. We’re both stubborn and we both hurt each other but that’s only because we care so intensely about the other. That pain cuts more deeply than either of us deserves.”
“You walked out,” I remind him. Feeling as small as I sound.
“And have I given you an excuse? I know what I did, but I also remember what you said, and pain is pain. It doesn’t mean I can’t still love you.”
His lips purse, distress etched in every stunning feature of his face. Even covered in bruises, he’s handsome.
My stomach flips. Guilt eating at me all over.
“What we have is unconditional. You’re it for me, Rory. There will never be anyone else, I promise you that.”
His thumb strokes my throat while I swallow, somehow I’m already at his side.
“Take me back.” Those jaded muscles in his cheeks relax a fraction at our closeness. I’m allowing him this single touch. I need the memory of what my skin feels like against his.
The lines along his neck thicken the more the tension builds. His aroma engulfs my senses, his mouth is right there.
When had we gotten even closer? Leaned in more?
“Is that a yes?”
He’s right here and my heart is pounding. So aggressively does it move that there’s no way he can’t not hear it.
One small gust of—anythingand I’d be his again.
I shouldn’t, but I do. I give in.
