Page 74 of Condemned By Pain
“Maybe we’re not destined to be together,” I say, smiling through the sting behind my eyes.
His hand closes around my waist, pulling me in. My hand slides from his cheek to the nape of his neck. He presses against me, burying his face in the curve of my neck.
“Meet me again in the next life,” he whispers, his voice thick, as he presses me close against him.
A stream of tears runs down my cheek.
“I promise I will. And I won’t be your enemy’s daughter.”
???
I wake up wrapped in him. He’s hugging me so tightly like he never wants to let me go. Which is exactly what I want, but can’t have.
My stomach knots.
In fairytales, when Beauty loved the Beast, he became human. I don’t want my beast to change, I just want him to give up his revenge. Even that small thing isn’t possible here. I guess I don’t have the magic required to make love work.
I tilt my head back from under his chin to meet his gaze.
His eyes open.
I slide my hand from his back to his chest, then up to his face, tracing its outline with my finger while he watches me through half-lidded eyes.
I hold his face the way I would if I were going to kiss him. But since that isn’t an option, I’ll settle for the edges ofit—relishing the feel of his jaw in my palm, strong and warm.
I have only one wish for God:make this man mine.
Avi and I made a pact—we would only love once in this life. But even without that promise, I couldn’t love anyone else. No one could ever take my heart from this man, not even when he eventually shatters it into a million pieces.
I move away from him and sit against the headboard. A large part of me still believes he won’t do it, but the small, doubting part is slowly killing me.
“I told Bruno I’d be right back. He must think I’m a liar,” I mutter, staring at the door.
He sits up beside me. “He won’t.”
I smile, turning my head toward him. “You have a sexy morning voice.”
He watches me the way I always saw my father watch my mother, as if he can’t bear to look away. I let myself feel a flicker of happiness, but I can’t erase the longing that comes with it.
“You have a beautiful morning face.”
I clear my throat. “No mixed signals.”
“My signals are clear, Princess.”
His voice is making me wet. Thoughts with no future flash through my mind. Sitting in his lap. Strangling his sides with my legs. Kissing him while riding him.
Okay, get a grip, Wen. You know nothing about riding. Don’t start thinking you’re a pro based on unrealistic media consumption.
I get out of bed.
“I’m going to check on Bruno.” I adjust the rolled-up sleeves of his brown shirt—the one I’m wearing.
I glance up and the heat in his eyes scalds me. Without a word, I turn and leave his room.
I’m already so ruined by my feelings for this man. What difference would sleeping with him make?whispers the impulsive, reckless part of my brain.
But my sane, sensible part slaps it silent.
