Page 143 of Sage Haven
“I’ve told you my truth,” she said. “I don’t want to revisit it.”
She exhaled slowly, regaining her control. “Just tell me what I need to do with Klay, and I’ll do it.”
Something coiled hot in my gut.
Frustration.
Anger.
Not at her.
At the world that had made her this way.
At myself, for not finding her sooner.
I took another step toward her.
Close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off me.
“Why do you think I pity you?” My voice was quieter now.
Less commanding. More curiosity.
She hesitated. Then she whispered, “The way you look at me.”
I let out a slow breath, letting it turn into a quiet, humorless chuckle.
“You think I have pity when I look at you?”
She didn’t answer.
Didn’t need to.
The walls were going back up.
And I wasn’t going to let them.
I closed the final space between us.
Not touching her yet.
But close enough to feel her breath hitch.
My gaze swept over every part of her, I admired.
The way her shoulders stiffened. The slight tremble in her hands. The defiance burning in her eyes. The soft parting of her lips as she tried to hold herself together.
She was breathtaking.
The little black dress she wore clung to her body, teasing me with every curve. Every inch of skin exposed was an invitation I hadn’t earned. But I was done pretending I could walk away from it.
I reached out.
My fingers trembled as they brushed her jaw.
She flinched—but didn’t pull away this time.
I tilted her chin up gently, my lips hovering close to hers.
