Page 104 of Nemesis

I took the time to study him, my eyes roaming over his face, taking in the slight changes. I hadn’t seen him like this in a long time, not since I’d watched over him the days following mydisappearance.

His under-eye circles were enhanced, and a thicker stubble adorned his jaw, his tousled hair slightly longer.

Fuck, I missed him.

Those dark brown eyes assessed me from head to toe before colliding with my own again and he lowered his Glock, his defenses lowering once he registered it was only me.

His body was locked tight, but no emotion flashed on his expression, preventing me from getting a read on how he felt about me being there.

I’d pictured this moment repeatedly in my head on the way over, but now that Theo was standing in front of me, I could barely utter a word.

The last time I’d seen him, he’d left the next morning. I’d stayed in bed all day, my mind running through endless scenarios. Although I’d been so angry at him at first, it had slowly dissipated throughout the day, settling into hurt, but I didn’t blame him for leaving.

I would have done the same if I had been in his position, especially after learning about his childhood.

I’d wanted to apologize, to run after him and tell him my side, ask for his forgiveness, but I’d known I had to wait.

The air was charged between us, filled with so much that had been unsaid. So much that I hoped he would let me say, but the apology I’d rehearsed in my head on the way here was long-forgotten.

So instead, I took a deep breath, regaining my composure. I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off before I could say anything.

“Leave,” he said gruffly, looking away before turning his back to me.

Well, that answered my question.

The forest seemed to besoquiet apart from my thundering heart before rain started to drizzle, forming a faint mist around us.

My heart kicked into overdrive as he closed his trunk, leaving his groceries behind. He stepped away from me and my chest squeezed tight, my ribs threatening to strangle my lungs. He took another step and panic seized me.

I shook my head, my mouth opening on a ragged breath as I approached him again.

“No,” I said firmly.

He spun to face me, his dark eyes studying me. A few raindrops had collected across his skin, his rain-speckled lashes now curved low, sitting dark and heavy against his tanned cheeks.

He let out a breath. “Sofia, I don’t have time for this.”

He started to turn away again, but I stopped him by grabbing his arm. I didn’t drive all the way here to have him turn me away.

“Make time.”

His brow furrowed and his jaw tensed as he crossed his arms above his chest. “What do you want?”

A knot rose in my throat and I closed my eyes, letting his voice sink in after days of not hearing it.

“You,” I whispered, my voice hoarse, peeling my eyes open. “Te deseo, Theo.”

He reared back, his breath hitching at my words as if I’d struck him. It was hard seeing him so tired from our separation, but seeing him react like that to my words hurt even more.

A fire erupted inside me, burning brighter, fueling my next words. Theo had always doubted whether I’d loved him or not, if he was worthy of love, and instead of showing how worthy he was, how perfectly he was made for me, I’d gone and let him believe the same brutal lie he’d been telling himself all these years.

That I’d left because of him.

My heart hammered harder against my chest, the echo thumping in my ears. I took another deep breath and cut off whatever he was about to respond.

“I fucked up.”

His eyes blazed with anger. I held up a hand, silently asking him to let me continue, needing to get the words out before I lost my nerve.