Chapter 63

She leaned her forehead against his. His onslaught was relentless and he didn’t play fair.

“I’m afraid,” she whispered.

“So am I.”

Surprised by his admission, she retreated a few inches and flicked her gaze up and down, searching for the truth in his eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that. You aren’t the only one hurting. I… Damn it, I promised we wouldn’t bring the past up. I’m not going to. But you aren’t the only one who got hurt in all this. I cared about you. I wanted to marry you. I…”

He paused and dragged a hand through his hair. He suddenly looked haggard and tired, worn down by the dark emotion that flowed between the two of them.

“I still want to marry you,” he quietly admitted.

The admission was stark, so plainly and painfully laid out. Almost as if he wasn’t h