And if he pushes you away again?
Would it be worth it?
Can your heart take the hit?
Miranda had lived so much of her life on the right and proper side of the rules. Though she had always been mischievous and her mother liked to deem her a rebel, she had never actuallycrossed any line that couldn’t be uncrossed. Sneaking out to Lydia’s house. Childish larks. Running in her dresses. Saying the wrong things. None of it compared to this. If she gave in, if she allowed how very much she wanted him to do all the wicked things his eyes had once suggested, then she was choosing a path and destroying another. The future her parents had wanted, the hovering threat of marriage and children and wasting away all the training as she carried on the family legacy, it would not be possible. She could never settle once she knew what awaited her.
She had expected the idea to terrify her, that her future might be suddenly thrown into flux on this one decision.
You made your decision long ago. It’s already too late.
It was already too late.
Miranda swallowed as she responded, her chin rising into the air, “What do you mean? I plan to find one of those offices and bar the door.”
“I promised not to pursue, so there’s no need for bars.”
She nodded and then turned on her heel. Heading down an open hallway, one side against the walls of offices, the other a railing that looked out over the entire lower floor, she found a row of rooms with the doors partially ajar. Inside were tables and shelves full of cleaning supplies and two cots each with folded blankets and a pillow. She imagined that officers needing a place to sleep between longer shifts might find refuge here for a few hours. Miranda paused. There were three rooms in front of her.
“Which will it be?” Devin’s voice was far behind her, as if he dared not get too close. And his tone held no trace of promise or flirtation. He simply asked. Still, she flinched.
“It hardly matters.” She stalked toward the first open room and stopped in the doorway. Sparing the barest turn of her head. Her breath caught.
Devinwatched.
Whatever mask he’d been wearing while attempting to keep his promise had slipped completely. His gaze seemed to hinge on her every motion. Her finger twitched and his eyes darted to her hand before returning to her face. Heavens above, there was no mistaking his intentions now. With a fluttery breath she turned away and closed her eyes.
Then she made a choice for herself. Freeing herself of a future she hated for the excitement of uncertainty. Her future was hers to discover. Though, a minuscule part of her—tucked into her heart—hoped that Devin would still be with her when she found it.
She proceeded into the room and fiddled with the lantern so light bloomed to ease the darkness and then crossed her arms. She glanced back into the hall, where Devin waited.Watching.
She swallowed.
“You haven’t closed the door,” he said.
She had not closed the door.
Miranda returned her focus on the room, to the furnishings or the…
Her fingers trembled at her sides, but this was not with fear or frustration. She tried to keep her motions minimal as she clenched her thighs to the pulsing want that begged her to put her pride aside and forgive him.
He stepped closer, inches from the room.
“Close the door, Miranda.”
She met his gaze. He waited, ready to pounce.
Waited forherto give the command.
The thought was thrilling and empowering.
He stepped into the doorway, but did not enter. “Mira, close the door.”
She stepped forward and put her hand on the door handle, like she intended to close it on him. The loss and rejection wereinstant, his eyes filling with panic. But he did not move or speak. He was going to let her decide. He was so easy to tease.
Miranda reached out with her other hand and hooked a finger into his vest.
“Oh, you have made a very grave error in judgment,” he hissed as he walked into her grip, not even waiting to be pulled, and shut the door as he towered over her, eyes dark and full of wicked promise. Darkness descended on the room and her eyes adjusted to the softer glow of the single lantern.
