Page 31 of Betrayed

I wrap a hand around her throat—light but controlling. “Say it again.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For leaving.”

“For thinking you ever had to face this alone,” I tell her.

My rhythm falters as I feel it coming—like a tidal wave.

And then I finally say the word.

“Now.”

She explodes, and I follow, my body shaking. Releasing the tension I’ve felt since I found her gone that morning.

For a long moment, we lie there, tangled, panting, broken, and stitched back together by lust and something more profound.

Love.

I said it.

And I meant it.

But I can’t say it to her.

Not yet.

She’s not ready to hear it.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Erin

The sun is rising, doing its best to light the perpetually gray sky that stretches over these haunted moors, signaling it’s time to rise, but I haven’t moved.

Lucian is behind me, a human blanket of body heat, muscle, and protection.

His arm is heavy across my waist, as if even in his steady sleep, he’ll never let go.

His breathing is deep, his warm exhale against the curve of my neck, like a wordless promise to never leave.

If I close my eyes, I can almost pretend we’re back in his bed at his place, and I never left that morning.That he didn’t chain me to the edge of orgasm last night, torture me, then command my release.

And afterward, kiss me like I was the only thing tethering him to this world.

I can’t believe he’s here, that he paused his whole life to find me. I’m filled with equal parts relief, worry, and guilt.

But I can’t pretend the guilt and worry aren't growing, swallowing every other emotion as they expand.

I met Lucian under false pretenses and kept seeing him after realizing he wasn’t the monster I thought I could use and discard.

I didn’t let go.

The heart desires what it desires. And I wanted him. Selfishly, I couldn’t tear myself away. I couldn't be honest with him and move on sooner.

Now, he’s the one who can’t pull away or let me go. And now I’ve dragged him into this war with me.