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He needs to hear it.

"I never stopped being yours, I love you."

It’s barely a whisper.

His body stiffens, and his breath stills.

His fingers tighten, his pulse kicking hard against mine.

Then he makes a move.

Fast. Brutal. Hungry.

His mouth crashes against mine, his hands pulling me closer like he wants to consume me.

He wants to own me all over again. His hands feel like a brand on my skin, his heat searing whatever’s left of my soul.

He is making sure I can never take those words back.

I meant them, though. There’s no taking back those words.

This is the only thing that has ever been real between us.

And it is too late to run from it now.

I claw at him, nails raking down his back, desperate for something to anchor me.

For something to keep me from drowning in him.

His mouth is at my throat now, his breath hot, sharp, fucking wrecked.

"Say it again, repeat those words. Say you’re mine."

I shudder. I shouldn’t be fucking shaking in his arms like I need him to keep me upright.

His voice is like a command to my soul, clutching my heart. I can’t deny him.

So I do the worst thing I could ever do.

The thing I swore I never would.

"I never stopped being yours, always. I’m forever yours."

It feels like surrender, as if a lock inside me is breaking.

Like I have nothing left to fight for.

I have given in to the only thing I was ever destined to be.

His.

His forehead presses against mine, his breath uneven, his fingers still curled into my waist.

"Yes, you’re destined to be mine. Always will be."

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ZEPHIRAN