Page 53 of Betrayed By Sin

Like he knows I need to let this out.

His grip tightens, just slightly. “You think Iwantyou gone? That I don’t want to tear you away from all of them?”

His voice roughens, low and bitter. “I’m trying not to start a goddamn war, Magnolia!” His eyes flick over my face, pain tightening every line.

“You think Ilikeseeing that look in your eyes?”

My throat burns. I won’t cry. Not here.

Not in front of him.

“Then why didn’t you come after me?”

For a second, his fingers tense around mine, then he lets go.

His shoulders go rigid.

“Because I knew you’d come back.”

I go still.

The worst part?

He’s right.

I look at him, really look at him.

His eyes aren’t just dark, they’re tired. Tired of pretending. Tired of pushing me away.

And maybe I’m tired too.

Tired of hurting. Tired of running.

Slowly, I close the space between us.

“Why?” I whisper. “Why are you so sure I’d come back?”

He doesn’t pause. Doesn’t blink.

He lifts his hands, cups my face like I’m something breakable.

“Because you’re just as wrecked over me as I am over you.”

And then he kisses me.

And just like always, I fall.

There’s no stopping it.

I don’t want to.

I never did.

His mouth crashes back into mine and this time, it’s not sweet. There’s no hesitation. Just heat. Teeth. Tongue. The taste of anger and heartbreak and all the things we never said.

My back slams into the brick wall, the shock of cold cutting through me, but I don’t care. I claw at his shirt, dragging it up over his head, desperate to feel his skin on mine. He’s heat and muscle and fury. His body crowds mine, pinning me, holding me still like I’m something wild he finally caught.

He breaks the kiss, lips trailing fire down my jaw, to my throat. “You will always.” he breathes, his voice nothing but smoke. “always come back to me.”