"That's what Bjorn said." My voice is shaking. "That's what Njal implied. And they both?—"
"I've wanted you for years." The admission stops me cold. "Fucking years, Ingrid. Watching you hurt. Watching other men touch you. Watching you destroy yourself because two assholes made you believe you weren't worth keeping. I've been going out of my mind wanting you and knowing I couldn't have you because you can't see yourself as anything but broken."
I'm crying now, tears streaming down my face, and I hate it.
Hate that he's breaking through my walls.
Hate that I want to believe him.
Hate that I'm terrified of what happens if I do.
"You don't want me," I say. "You just think you do because I'm a project. Something to fix. Something to save. And when you realize I'm not fixable, you'll?—"
"You don't need fixing." He cups my face, thumbs wiping away tears. "You need someone who sees you.Reallysees you. And doesn't run."
"Everyone runs eventually."
"Then I guess you'll have to wait and see if I do."
My heart is breaking.
Or maybe it's healing.
I can't tell the difference anymore.
"Stay," he says softly. "Just for tonight. No promises. No expectations. Just stay."
I should say no.
Should grab my pants, my shoes, and walk out that door.
Protect myself before he can hurt me.
But I'm so tired.
Tired of running.
Tired of pretending.
Tired of being alone.
"Just for tonight," I whisper.
"Just for tonight," he agrees.
But we both know it's a lie.
Tonight is already everything.
CHAPTER THREE
Gunnar
The bed is cold.
That's the first thing I notice when I wake up—the empty space beside me, sheets cool to the touch like she was never there at all.
Except she was.
