Page 86 of Untamed

“You showed up,” I say quietly. “You didn’t have to, but you did. You tore through men for me. You got blood on your hands, because I was in danger. That’s not evil. That’s not cold. That’shuman.”

“I stopped being human a long time ago. Ask anyone, they’ll tell you,” he growls, turning away.

I continue, stepping closer. “I don’t care about everyone else. I care about whatyoushowed me.About how you made me feel. I care about the way you kissed me like it was the first honest thing you’ve let yourself feel in years.”

His eyes flick to mine, one flicker, like something inside him isbeggingto believe it.

But then the wall slams back up.

“Listen to me, there is no version of this where we work, Jordyn,” he expresses, his voice colder now.Final. “And I won’t let you waste your firsts on someone who doesn’t deserve them.”

My throat tightens, heat burning behind my eyes.

Too late. I already did.

“You regret it,” I say softly and he stills. His jaw clenches and unclenches.

And then he looks at me, likereallylooks at me. And what I see in his eyes cuts straight through me.

“No,” he says, voice gritty, like it’s moment away from breaking. “I don’t.”

“Then why?—”

“Because it wasn’t aboutme, Jordyn,” he cuts in gently, shaking his head. “That kiss… it was aboutyou. About giving you the moment you deserved. The first kiss you dreamed of. Something untouched.Uncomplicated.” He explains. “I won’t ruin that by pretending that this is something it’s not or that you and I have some kind of future, because we don’t and never will.”

I stare at him, breathing hard, the silence stretching between us like a wound.

“I know what you’re doing. You think you’re doing the right thing by pushing me away,” I whisper.

“I know I am,” he says. “Because I’m not your Prince Charming, Jordyn. I’m not the boy next door. I’m the shadow that waits outside the light. The thing good girls like you are supposed to stay away from.” He exhales, slow and ragged, and when he speaks again, it’s almost too soft to hear. “Why do you think I call youbambina, because that’s what you are. You’re nineteen and still trying to find yourself. You’re too good, too pure and innocent and have no business getting tangled up with a man like me.”

My stomach twists like a pretzel, but I still don’t back down because I see what he’s doing. He’s trying to make me walk away.Trying to make me believe he’s too far gone. Too brutal, too broken to be something good in my life. But I don’t believe it. Not for a second.

“You need to stop romanticising me, like I’m some kind of hero, because I’m not. I don’t do romance. I don’t do sweet and gentle,” he goes on. “I don’t know how. Do I think you’re beautiful? Yes, I do, I would be an idiot not to, but I like my women older.Experienced. Women who don’t flinch when I get rough. Women who are just as messed up as I am, who I don’t have to worry about breaking because I fuck them too hard.”

I can feel the tears biting behind my eyelids while I stare at him, continuing with his rant.

“You have no idea what you’re asking for,” he bites back. “What it would mean to be with me. I don’tdate. I don’tcourt. I fuck. I use. I don’t stay. I never stayed.”

A bitter laugh escapes me.

“A woman?” I snap. “You mean like the one you brought home and fucked against the wall?”

That gets him.

His composure flickers, just for a second, but I see it. The shock. The tension. The awareness, but he recovers quickly, but the damage is already done. I should have kept my mouth shut. His voice lowers, and his eyes narrow. “You were watching me?”

I lift my chin. “I didn’t mean to. I was in the pool on the terrace when I heard something...then I couldn’t look away.” His eyes darken, not with pride, but something more dangerous. Akin to shame, realisation or need.

I take a breath. “Who was she?”

“No one that matters,” he says without hesitation.

“She didn’t mean anything to you.”

“No,” Ares answers without hesitation. “She didn’t.”

“I know, because the entire time you were...detached. Your eyes were closed throughout, like your body was there but your mind was someplace else entirely.” I whisper. “But when you kissed me? You felt it.” He doesn’t move, but I do. “You can lie to me all you want,” I say, stepping closer. “Try and make me believe you’re too damaged, too cruel, too far gone. But youfeltit, Ares.”

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