Page 55 of Stolen Sun

The flames burn in her eyes.

“Did you like it?” I ask, sauntering over to her, my thumb tracing the outline of her parted lips.

Bright green eyes glare up at me. “Yes,” she breathes.

“Good.” I lean down to take her lips.

She holds back. Then she breaks the kiss and turns her head.

“I would’ve done anything, Declan. For you. For us. You should’ve told me,” she says, her voice shaking.

“It doesn’t matter now,” I whisper, pressing my forehead into hers.

“It does! You want me to believe you just let me marry someone else? He couldn’t send me away after I turned eighteen! Why didn’t you step in?” she presses.

Fuck.

“My hands were tied. You don’t understand,” I offer, knowing it isn’t the explanation shedeserves.

“No! You don’t understand!” She tries to push away from me, her anger building.

I hold her to me, not willing to let go.

“You were there when I closed my eyes the first time he kissed me. You were there when I closed my eyes the first time he made love to me. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get rid of you, not all the way. He deserved better. It took me so long to love him, and I had to live with that guilt. Because of you. Because it should’ve been you.”

She slaps at my chest every few words, trying to push me away. I can’t bring myself to let go.

“He didn’t deserve your love, Noel,” I growl.

She stops shoving me away, but the distance in her eyes might as well be a slap in the face.

Her voice chills me to my core. “But you do?”

What the fuck do I say to that?

My eyes bore into hers. I may not deserve her, but she's mine. I'll do whatever it takes to right the wrongs—to make it up to her.

“Take me home, Declan."

“Noel,” I stop before I even begin. My jaw clenches shut.

“Do you plan to handcuff me to your bed? Keep me without giving me the option?” She asks, pointedly.

I take a few steps back, raising my hands in surrender. She’s fucking right. I promised her she'd only do what she wanted from now on. I'm no better than them if I force herto stay.

The drive to her house is silent other than the radio. She finally breaks it when we pull into her driveway.

“I don’t know that truck,” she says nervously.

“I do,” I say, meeting her eyes. “Chance is going to be with you today as a precaution.”

“What?” Her voice squeaks out in surprise.

“I won’t leave you unprotected,” I tell her.

She huffs and gets out of my truck. Chance greets her, nods at me, and follows her inside.

I pull out of her drive and go straight to the warehouse where Leah is waiting to see me before her shift at Cordeliers.

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