Page 128 of A Curse On Black Lake
She stands quickly from the table, pushing the chair back, and holds up her hand. “No, you don’t get to do this. I can’t deal with you right now. My livelihood just got torn to shreds, and I have no idea how I’m going to make it work, let alone get those plants back in the ground. I don’t need your apology.”
I stand and reach for her again. She backs up, and I take a step forward, closing the distance between us. She shakes her head as quiet tears stream down her face, and she keeps retreating until her back hits the counter.
Her eyes widen, and she knows she’s cornered herself. She has nowhere to go.
Instead of pushing further, I take my hat off, setting it on the counter next to her, and get on my knees.
She jerks back, her beautiful face full of confusion, as I rest my head on her stomach and hug her waist.
She gasps, her body frozen under my touch. I’m sorry doesn’t feel good enough, but there’s nothing I can say that I haven’t already said. I don’t know how else to beg.
Taking a deep breath of her lavender scent, I close my eyes because this might be the last time she’ll let me touch her. We may still be linked by outside circumstances, but that doesn’t mean she’ll trust me with her body again. And I’d deserve it.
Her hands rest on my head, and fingers drag through my hair, sending a shiver across my chest.
“I’m sorry. I never should’ve pushed you away out of anger. I know I hurt you, but I will do anything to earn your trust back,” I say into her dress.
Her hand slips around to the front of my face and tips my chin up. Her sad eyes say everything I need to know. The sun is setting, and the warm golden glow from the window above the sink casts a halo around her, like an angel. My angel.
“You hurt me, Killian. I know your entire world exploded in seconds, and I am so, so sorry that it did. But I’m not the one who did it.”
“I know,” I rasp, my throat tightening.
“I’m scared to let you in. I was starting to get used to the idea,” she whispers.
My neck twinges as I look up at her. “As you should. But I made a mistake. If you …” I swallow thickly, my heart trips at the thought of her not allowing me back in, but I have to try. “If you don’t want this anymore, I understand. But I’ll still be there for you. I’m still going to be here to help you with your garden, and get it put back together. I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”
“You’ll leave me if I ask you to?”
I grit my teeth, forcing myself to dip my chin. I’ll sleep on her couch if I have to. I won’t leave heralone, but I won’t come near her if that’s what she wants.
“No, you won’t,” she says.
She knows me too well.
“You’ll say yes, but you’ll always be hovering.”
I don’t respond, and a brow hikes up on her beautiful face.
“I understand it might take you some time. But I can be a patient man.”
“Why? You hardly know me even after all the time we’ve spent together,” she says.
I scoff, and my hands have a mind of their own as they rub the back of her calves.
“I could say the same, but I’d be lying because you do know me. And you might not want to hear this, but I know plenty. I know you have a heart of gold, hiding behind a wall so thick your Grams could barely get past it.”
She inhales sharply, and I lean forward, kissing her stomach through her dress.
“I know you want someone to rely on.” I kiss her left hip.
“I know you push people away so they can’t reject you first.” I kiss her right hip.
“I know you’re incredibly messy, but I don’t mind picking up after you.” I grab her left hand and kiss her palm.
“I know you’re intelligent, but you keep that side of yourself quiet.” I take her right hand and kiss that palm.
“I know you saw right through me the moment I picked you up out of that ditch.” I wrap a hand around the back of her thigh and lift her leg up. The fabric of her dress falls back, and I kiss the inside of her knee before putting her foot back on the floor.
