Her breath shudders. She says nothing. I step toward the door.
“You want control? Then give me the truth. Or next time I pin you down…” I pause, my voice low, dangerous,certain— “Iwon’tlet you up.”
Then I walk out, leaving her dripping and desperate in my bed. I shut the door behind me and turn the lock before I can change my mind.Click.
Her fists hit it a second later. “Cillian!”
I press my back to the wood and close my eyes. Her voice is ragged, fury laced with want, and it nearly undoes me. Always does. She knows that. Sheusesthat.
“Open the fucking door!”
I don’t move. She bangs again. Louder. I stare down at my hands—still trembling. Still aching with the ghost of her skin. The silk of her. The feel of her hips grinding against mine like she could ride me back into submission.
Goddamn her.I let it go too far. I always fucking do. Always with her. Siobhán Kelleher is the only woman who’s ever made me forget who I am. Who I’m supposed to be. The only woman who can walk back into my world wearingmy mother’s necklaceand make me forget every rule I’ve ever lived by.
I inhale deep. Slow. I need the oxygen like penance. She screams something on the other side of the door. I don’t catch it. Don’t need to. She’ll try to hurt me next. With words. With silence. With whatever weapon she thinks will get under my skin. But I’m already bleeding. And I need to get my shit together before I tear her apart and call it love.
So I walk away. One step. Then another. Each one heavier than the last. I ignore the pounding. Ignore the way my own name sounds like sin when she’s the one shouting it. Because if I go back in that room— I won’t leave again. Not until I’ve ruined us both.
1.My secret
2.You’re so beautiful I’d gladly lose all hope inside you.
