He approached the bars.“You won’t have to worry about me doing anything illegal.I gave you my word.”
“I couldn’t think of a way out of this.I’m bound to my promise.Are you mad at me?”
He put his hands over mine and gazed into my soul.“You didn’t have a choice.He knew threatening you wouldn’t work.But threatening a loved one—there’s nothing you wouldn’t do for them.My brother once told me about the sacrifices he and his female made for each other.I didn’t understand why, but now I do.”
My gaze fixed on his mouth.“I never gave you an answer when you asked me that night if you could court me.You deserve to know.Yes, Lucian Cross.If Henry hadn’t twisted my arm, you’d be the one.But you’ve given me your word you won’t hunt him down.This is your opportunity to start fresh.Don’t squander that gift.It would kill me to see you behind bars again.I care about you too much.”
He pressed his forehead against the bars, and a purr rumbled deep in his chest.
I turned the key in the lock and opened the door.“This is the last time we can ever be seen together—the last time we’ll ever be alone.You can’t come to my home or finish my security setup.I won’t give him another reason to come after you.”
Lucian rushed forward, locked his arms around my middle, and walked me into the wall.As soon as my shoulders met with cinder block, his mouth was on mine.
“Whatever you desire, female,” he whispered between kisses.
My thighs trembled.I wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.
Lucian growled and pressed his body to mine, marking me with his scent.
I gripped a fistful of his hair and nibbled his lower lip.
Mine.Mine.Mine.
That singular word repeated in my head as the only thing that mattered.Maybe the fates wanted to separate us in this life, but he would always be mine in my heart.
When Lucian opened his eyes, the golden irises were replaced with onyx for only a split second.I would miss those pretty black lashes, the tiny freckle below his right eye, the way he always drew in a soft breath when I was feeling emotional, and especially how safe I felt in his embrace.
“Someday you’ll make a woman very happy.You were the best lover I ever had.”
“You were my best everything.”
I pressed my cheek to his.“It would’ve never worked out between us.”
“You don’t believe that.”
“I would’ve always wondered if your kindred spirit might break it off with her mate and come find you.Then what?”
Lucian leaned back and shook his head.“She has young.”
“So?My mother left me.”
He squeezed my hips.“I don’t want to let you go—not if it means never having you.”
I kissed his soft lips and held the connection, my soul shattering beneath my tough facade.“We were fire together.Maybe a little heat is better than nothing at all.”
Lucian cupped my face in his hands.“Do you trust me?”
“I ate from your hand, didn’t I?”
“Good.”He stepped back and inclined his head.
“What does that mean?”
Lucian led me to the door before facing me.“It means you don’t have a damn thing to worry about.”
Something changed about how he looked at me in that moment.The way he held me.The way he kissed me.
And the way he let me go for the last time.
