“What? We haven’t even eaten yet.”
“Let’s leave for California right now and never come back.”
I’m completely caught off guard, and step toward him. “I can’t just leave,” I whisper. “What about Mercy?”
Harlin’s mouth curves into a smile and he takes my arm, resting his forehead against mine as he stares into my eyes. “Run away with me,” he breathes, smelling sweet from the wine. It’s intoxicating. “Run far away with me.”
I feel a rush of electricity and my body warms considerably.
“Where would we go?”
“Anywhere, as long as I’m with you.”
Butterflies flutter in my stomach, and I close my eyes. I can feel how much he needs me, how much I need him.
“You have me forever,” he whispers. “I’m yours.”
“Mm...” I’ll run away if he wants. I’ll go anywhere as long as I can feel like this—so beautiful and calm. I feel alive.
“Good,” he says, leaning forward to kiss me softly. “And you only have to do one thing for me.”
“Anything.”
“Don’t talk about my mother again.”
I gasp and pull out of his arms. “Are you serious right now? You just said all that stuff to get me to stop asking about your mother?” My cheeks prickle with embarrassment, a bit of anger.
“No, baby. I meant every word,” he tries to explain, touching my hand. “You know I did.”
I yank away. “You’re an ass,” I murmur, and move over to the next painting.
I fold my arms over my chest, ignoring Harlin as he comes to stand next to me. He presses his shoulder against mine, then leans down, brushing his lips against my ear.
“I’m sorry.” He says it so softly it’s just a breath. “I love you,” he repeats over and over, putting his hand on the curve of my back. I close my eyes and lean into him, letting him put his arm around me.
I want to spend forever with him. I want that to be true. But I have to fight the Need to keep him. To stay alive.
Harlin kisses the top of my head, just as I open my eyes to stare at the painting in front of us.
There are angels in the clouds beating back red and black devils crawling out from underneath the ground. I can’t tell which side is winning, and I don’t know what it’s symbolizing. But I feel like I know more about it than I want to.
