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“The ring?” he asked.

“I wore it because I felt guilty, not because I loved him.”

“Wore?”

“I gave it to his mother today.” I added softly, “I’ll get a job and pay you back.”

“You think this is about the fucking money?”

Isn’t it? I remained silent.

His gaze found mine in the reflection of the glass. “Do you know how many men would want to hurt you to hurt me?”

I wasn’t sure how to fix what I’d done, what to say to make him forgive me. All of it sounded so hollow in my head, a part of me believing I didn’t even deserve his forgiveness. I glanced at my fingers as they pulled at the thread.

“I’m sorry.”

“Fuck, Elena, it’s not that easy.” He shook his head in disgust, and my stomach twisted.

He hated me.

I loved him, and he hated me.

The backs of my eyes burned, and a tear ran

down my cheek. “If you’re so disgusted by me then why are you here?”

It was quiet, and then a shift in the air told me he was going to stand. Something pitched in my chest, and my visceral reaction was to lean forward and grab his arm. He couldn’t leave. The thought sent the stitches in my heart ripping apart one by one.

He tensed but didn’t get up. I inched my way closer until I sat behind him on my knees. My skin sang under the weight of his presence and warmth. Sliding a hand from his arm to his waist, I kissed the back of his neck. “Please don’t go,” I whispered.

A chill rolled through his body.

“There was never another man since we met.” I pressed my forehead to his neck. “No one but you.”

He grabbed my hand on his waist and pulled me around him and off the bed. Our gazes clashed like a shot to my chest. It was so intense I kneeled between his legs so I didn’t burn under the closeness of his stare.

His thumb ran down my lips. “Why keep your mouth from me then?”

I averted my gaze, not being able to say this as I looked him in the eyes. “Men like you break a woman’s heart . . . I didn’t want to love you.”

His deep voice filled my ears. “Did it work?”

My heartbeat drummed.

“No,” I breathed.

A quiet noise crawled up his throat, a mixture of satisfaction and anger. He brushed a palm across my cheek and my head lulled to the side as warmth fired in every synapse.

“Look at me.”

My gaze flicked to his that burned dark and hot.

“You fucking lied to my face.”

I nodded, remembering my promise not to leave without talking to him.

“You didn’t take your phone.”