“Because even without my memories, I fell for you.” I lean my forehead against hers, hating that I still have to lie. “The man I am now, the one who doesn’t remember our past, fell in love with the woman you are today. Not because of some magical connection. Because you’re you.”
Anne’s breath catches in her throat. She looks away but I follow her eyes, trying to make sure she can see in mine just how much I want this. How much I want her.
“I don’t know if I can trust you,” she whispers. “You broke my heart with your rejection once.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” I pull back just enough for her to feel comfortable turning her face back toward mine. “And I’ll spend as long as it takes proving that I won’t do it again. That I’m worth the risk.”
She’s silent, and she drops her gaze to her feet. I raise her chin gently, trying to get her to look at me, but she closes her eyes instead.
“Anne, please…” I plead.
She doesn’t open her eyes, but she nuzzles her face against my hand.
Hope surges in my chest. Leaning down, I press my lips against hers.
It’s different from the desperate kisses we’ve shared before. This one is tentative at first, questioning. When she doesn’t resist, I kiss her again, pouring everything I feel into it. Shemelts against me and kisses me back, the salty taste of her tears coating our tongues.
When we finally break apart, we’re both out of breath.
“Give me a chance,” I say against her lips. “A real one. Let me be your man. Let me prove that I can be what you need.”
She’s still crying, but it’s not the same now. It’s softer. It looks like relief mixed with resignation mixed with what I want to think is hope.
She nods. Just once, tearful and trembling.
“Yes,” she whispers. “Okay. Yes.”
I kiss her again, and this time, she reciprocates without hesitation. Right here in the stairwell, with the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead and our movements echoing in the empty space.
“Can I come over after work tonight?” I ask breathlessly against her lips.
“Please,” she breathes.
I give her one more kiss, a promise of what’s to come. Even if the truth eventually destroys us both.
Right now, in this moment, she’s mine.
And that’s all that matters.
Chapter Fourteen
Anne
We barely make it through my apartment door before Kain’s mouth is on mine, hot and demanding, evidence he’s been waiting for this just as impatiently as I have.
The keys clatter to the floor somewhere behind us—I don’t care where. All I care about is the way Kain’s hands are everywhere, gripping my waist, sliding up my back, tangling in my hair as he kicks the door shut with his foot. We’re stumbling through the entryway, a mess of lips and teeth and desperate breaths, and I can’t get enough.
Goddess, I’ve wanted this. Craved it. Ever since the night he took me apart piece by piece and left me shattered in the best way. I tried to bury it, told myself that I was done, that I could move on with David or anyone else who didn’t make my heart ache the way Kain did.
But who was I kidding? The moment his lips touched mine in that stairwell, after he explained everything—his fears, his feelings, how he’d fallen for me all over again even without the memories…It all cracked me wide open.
I’d wanted to stay mad, to hold on to that anger like a shield. But my wolf was whining inside me the whole time, pacing restlessly, begging me to give in, to claim what was ours.
And yeah, maybe part of me said yes because of her. But mostly? I said yes for me. Because I need this. Need him. The way he looks at me like I’m the center of his universe, the way his touch sets my skin on fire—it’s addictive. Irresistible. And right now, with his body pressed against mine, all hard muscle and heat, I’m done pretending otherwise.
We crash into the living room, his hands frantic as they tug at my clothes.
“Anne,” he growls against my mouth, his voice laced with that wolfish edge that sends shivers straight to my core.
