Page 63 of Dreams and Desires

“You never do,” he replies.

We sit in silence, and I can feel his eyes on me, his gaze burning into my skin. My mind races, and my emotions are a tangled mess of anger, confusion, and an undeniable attraction.

“I should hate you,” I whisper, more to myself than to him.

“You don't need to.” His words come out sure.

I turn to him. My arms fold tight across my chest. “You don’t know me,” I mutter. “You just think you do.”

“I know enough to see you're hurting. And I want to help,” he declares, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Why are you doing this? Why now?” I ask, my tone breaking. “You’re the reason for all my troubles in the first place. Remember, you betrayed me!”

His fingers brush my cheek. I jerk back, yet he doesn’t drop the touch. “I'm—I'm sorry, Juniper.” The apology lands rough.

I close my eyes, my breath hitching. “Please, Zade. Just stop.”

He doesn't move, his hand still on my cheek, his touch sending shivers down my spine. “No,” he says firmly. “I won't leave you.”

Before I can react, he leans in, his lips claiming mine with a desperation that shakes me. For a moment, I fight it, my mind screaming to push him away, but my body betrays me. The force of the kiss overwhelms me, and I shove him back, breaking free.

I fling the car door open and step into the cold rain. The chill joltsme back to reality—I can't let him get under my skin.

I start walking. The distance between us is the only thing that makes sense right now. I need to get away to think.

“Where are you going?” he calls after me, rain swallowing half the words.

“Away from you,” I snap.

I glance back. He’s furious and drenched, yet still infuriatingly irresistible. His suit clings to his body, the soaked shirt outlining every hard line of muscle.

“Get back here now!” he yells, fists knotted at his sides. “You’ll catch a cold!”

“I’d rather that than be with you!” I retort, picking up my pace.

I throw another glance over my shoulder, and he's closing in, determination in his eyes. Panic flares, and I start to run.

“Juniper, stop!” He yells, but I don’t. His footsteps splash closer, and suddenly, he grabs my arm, spinning me around.

“Why are you running from me?” He demands, voice low, fierce.

“Because I need to get away!” I shout back. “It’s all. It’s all too confusing for me.”

His grip tightens. “You think you owe me something, don’t you?”He drops to a near-murmur. “Because of what I did for Jacob.”

I glare at him. “You gave my brother your kidney, Zade! Of course, I feel like I owe you! I want to hate you, but... you make it so damn hard!”

His gaze locks onto mine. “You don’t owe me anything, Juniper. Hate me all you want, push me away—but don’t think you owe me. If you hate me, at least I’m on your mind.”

“You’re unbearable,” I whisper.

He steps closer, cupping my cheek, his thumb brushing away what might be a raindrop or a tear. “I don’t care if you hate me,” he says. “As long as I’m not invisible to you.”

He’s soaked. Rain clings to his lashes. His jaw is tight, mine probably is too.My hands are fists. I can’t decide if I want to shove him or grab him.My chest aches from holding too much in. Nothing about this feels simple anymore.

“I need space,” I say, sharper than I mean to. “I need to think.”

“There’s nothing to think about.” He barks the words. “Get in the car. The driver’s almost here, and you’re soaked, Juniper. Don’t be stupid.”

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