Page 117 of Sage Haven

Her jaw clenched.

She wanted to fight.

And maybe she should have.

But I wasn’t letting her win this.

“Keep playing this game of hide and seek” I said quietly, almost deadly, “and you’ll stay stuck in it.”

“I’m not playing your games,” she hissed and then pushed her plate off the bed, getting up from where she was sitting.

The plate clattered loudly as it hit the floor.

I didn’t flinch.

But something in me snapped.

“You drive me fucking insane.” My voice came out low, rough—more confession than accusation.“You can’t hide forever, Sage. One day, you’ll have to take the mask off…and face who you really are.”

I crossed the space in two long strides and backed her against the wall before she could take another step.My hands braced on either side of her head, caging her in—not to trap her, but to stop myself from unraveling.

She stared up at me, breath coming quick and shallow.“If I push you that far,” she whispered, “then why keep me here? Why not just let me walk away?”

I sucked in a breath, sharp and tight in my chest.The words slipped before I could stop them.“I’ve tried.”

Her eyes narrowed. “And?”

I met her gaze then—no armor, no mask. Just the truth.“All it did was make me want to know why you keep hiding from me.”

The fight drained from her like a wave pulling back.Her jaw slackened, something in her softening—not even surrender, but something much deeper.

“You said I could come to you depending on what I need,” she said, her voice lower, watching me through her thick, heavy lashes.

“I did.” I swallowed, realizing I may have just fucked up.

“What did you mean by that?” She asked, fidgeting with the edge of her tank top, with her fingers tracing over the hem of her shirt slightly.

Her hands far too close to me.

To my waist.

And then she shrugged, and the strap of her top slid down her shoulder.

My throat went dry.

“What do you need, Sage?” I asked carefully.

But I already knew.

And so did she.

I backed up, putting some more distance in between us, but she surprised me and stepped closer, closing in that space I attempted.

Her shorts slid slowly down her hips to the ground, sending my mind spiraling as my entire body went taut.

“What are you doing?” My voice was rougher than I meant.

She didn’t answer.