Page 7 of His Deadly Devotion
I glare at my brother. “No.”
“Okay, jeez. Settle down. He’ll be back, Aurora.” Enzo wraps me in his arms.
“How do you know that?”
“Because he loves you. And trust me, you’re not easy to love. So he’ll be back.”
“I hate you,” I grumble against my brother’s chest.
“Yeah, I hate you too, sis.” He kisses the top of my head. “I’ll be right outside. Just yell the safe word and I’ll be back,” Enzo whispers into my ear before pulling away.
My eyes draw down in confusion. “Huh?”
I turn and see Connor. He didn’t leave. My heart smiles. He’s still here.
Connor steps into the room and shuts the door. Neither of us says a word. We stand a foot apart, staring at each other. I don’t want to say something that will make him walk out again.
Not being able to handle the silence any longer, I spin around and climb on to the bed. Lay my head on the pillow and wait. I don’t want to ask him for what I need. I don’t want the rejection, so I don’t ask for anything.
Eventually Connor’s body fills the spot next to me. His eyes bore into mine, and I see the mix of emotions swarming inside them. “I know,” I tell him.
“You know what?” he asks.
“That I messed up. That I’m crazy. That I should probably be medicated or put in a straitjacket or something.I know,” I reply.
Connor’s brows pressed together in the middle. “I’d never let anyone put you in a fucking straitjacket or medicate you, Aurora. You’re not crazy. I’m sorry I ever made you think you were,” he says. “I was angry and took it out on you.”
“I deserved it.” After a few minutes of quiet contemplation, I add, “Do you regret meeting me?”
“No.” He’s quick to answer, his words so assured.
“I’m starting to think this whole star-crossed lovers thing is harder than they make it look in the movies.” I smile.
“Romeo and Juliet died. How does that look easy?” Connor asks.
“Death isn’t always bad,” I tell him. “I’m not scared of dying. I’m scared of having to live without you.”
Connor takes a deep breath. “I know the feeling.” His hand reaches towards my face, the backs of his fingers brushing the hair off my cheeks. “I love you, Aurora. There isn’t a single doubt in my mind that I do. I just don’t know how to forgive you.”
“Then don’t.” I lift a shoulder. “You don’t need to forgive me. I can live with the guilt as long as I get to keep you.”
“You have any idea where your father wants to send you?” Connor says, changing the subject.
“No, but if you’re coming with me, I don’t care where it is,” I admit.
“How much longer until that door gets busted down?” he asks me.
“I give it two minutes. Why?” I tell him.
“Because I’m dying to do this.” His face lowers, his lips brush against mine, and a groan leaves his throat. “Fuck, I’ve missed you.”
I smile against his mouth. “Don’t leave me again.”
“I won’t.”
I wish those words gave me the peace of mind I need. They don’t. I want to believe that Connor’ll never leave me again. I just don’t believe I won’t give him another reason to.
“I love you,” I whisper.