Page 147 of Corrupt Me

“Go. I just need a minute,” I assure him, but my choked-up voice betrays me.

I stare at the rug, nausea crawling up my throat, the bitter taste coating my tongue.Hold it together. I hear the door opening, then closing with a soft click. He left.

I dash toward the bathroom. Hugging the toilet seat, I empty the poison. Vomit shoots out of my mouth, making me weaker by the second. I am surprised when I feel his touch as he gathers my hair in his hand and strokes my back.

“Shh. It’s okay. I’m here.”

I don’t want him to see me like this, but with my strength gone, I barely push at his chest. He’s stronger, and I end up wrapped in his arms.

“I can’t leave you. I’ll never leave you. I vow to you, even if I’m never going to love you openly and freely ever again.”

Sobs wreck me, and I clutch his shirt, feeling his erratic heartbeat. “I love you so much I’d rather be dead.”

He cups my cheeks, his expression softening. “Do you think I could live knowing you’re not here? Kitten, I’d follow you in death to be with you. I don’t want a future if you’re not in it.”

I shake my head, ashamed. “I don’t deserve your love. Not any longer.”

He brushes his nose against mine, the sweet gesture undoing me. “Who else then? There’s no one else for me. I just need you.”

“I hate this stupid ring, and I hate him so much.” I glare at the innocent ring, wanting nothing more than to throw it into the trash.

His thumb caresses my face, lulling me into believing I can achieve anything. “But you’re going to win. You’re a fighter.”

“You made me into one.”

“I can’t take credit for something you have always been.”

I lift my chin, and his silver eyes shine with unadulterated love and undying devotion as he brings his lips to mine.

“I just vomited. Don’t kiss me.” I put a hand between us to stop him. But his fingers curl around my wrists, and he pulls my arm down, swiftly erasing the barrier.

His head lowers, completely ignoring me as he kisses me. Bringing his forehead to mine, I feel the ghost of his smile. “I’d kiss you covered in horseshit and human parts.”

A giggle rolls out of my mouth. He so would. He moves to stand up, but I dig my fingers even deeper into his jacket lapels.

“I won’t leave. Let me clean you up a bit.”

I nod, depleted of energy because my human charger is not next to me. Even in my head, I sound so damn needy. He’s here, soothing every wound. Despite everything, he didn’t leave me.

I hear the tap on the faucet and then the water running. Wetting a hand towel, he crouches in front of me. With gentle strokes, he wipes at my mouth, then discards it on the marble floor. I sink into his arms, wanting to drown in him and never resurface.

He holds me so tight; I feel his heart beating, and mine automatically synchronizes with his rhythm. Stroking along my arms, he infuses warmth into my frozen being. His presence alone breathes life back into me.

We stay like this in silent companionship as we caress each other.

“I wanted to tell you, but I knew I would have never pulled it off…” It’s a lame answer, but it’s the truth.

“I think that hurt the most… you wanting someone other than me there.”

I was so in my head that I didn’t even think of that. Nestling his hand, I lift it to my chest. “I am so sorry. Please believe me, I wanted no one more than you, but Blake doesn’t have the capacity to make me change my mind. You do.”

He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, brushing his hand along my neck and resting it on my thigh. “I am glad you had someone there for you, though.”

“He’s my brother. And your twin is with my brother.”

He waves a hand through the air in a noncommittal gesture. “Nothing strange when you consider the family we were born into.”

A small smile teases my lips. “Can we stay in here forever?”

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