Page 47 of Sage Haven

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At this time.

Why?

Then it slammed into me hard.

I was trespassing.

I tried to save face when the realization hit, “I—” I stammered.

But hisvoice cut through me, as sharp as a fresh blade. “Stay away, Sage.”

He said my name like it meant something.

Like it burned his tongue.

But his hand on mine told a different story.

A little too tight and too reluctant to let go.

“I didn’t know,” I whispered. “I thought this was part of the preserve. The flowers… they’re beautiful. I wasn’t trying to—”

“Leave.”

Cold. Final.

I swallowed hard. “Why are you being like this?”

My voice was thin. Barely holding. “I’m just trying to explain—”

“Because I don’t care.”

His voice— his voice cut deeper than I expected.

I sucked in a sharp breath, the bouquet trembling in my hands.

I gripped it tighter like it could anchor me.

Like it could hold me together but then—he caught my jaw.

Fingers strong, steady, bringing my face to his. Firm. Unyielding.

My pulse skipped as his eyes darkened, trapping me there and locking me in place.

His other hand drifted lower, brushing my wrist.

Barely a touch. Too light to be restraint but far too deliberate to ignore.

He was testing me.

So, I lifted my chin.

Refusing to shrink away.

Refusing to break.

His grip tightened, just enough to make me gasp.

“You need to leave,” he said. “I’m not asking.”

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