What did Barclay do now? Why did he have to keep risking Duncan’s scholarship by dragging him into his mess?
“But what?” I gritted out, refusing to let him see what a terrible sister I was.
His jaw clenched. “I need you to promise me something.”
“Anything.”
At that, Duncan’s eyebrows flew up as if my feelings for him hadn’t been obvious. Quickly, he schooled his expression into a hardened one.
It shouldn’t have made my knees buckle, how handsome he was when he was broody.
The fluttering in my stomach, the heat between my thighs, I was obsessed.
Then I remembered we were having a serious conversation. I had to cut it out.
“In case what we have planned goes…wrong.” He stepped closer. My body was on fire as I tipped my chin up higher to look at him. “Promise me you’ll remember the good things about me—err, about Barclay and me. Not just the bad stuff.”
“Bad stuff?” My throat felt raw. Scratchy. Every hint of desire had evaporated from me. “What bad stuff?”
Heavy footsteps echoed above us. Probably Barclay going to the bathroom.
We both knew he’d go right back to bed. My brother loved to sleep.
Duncan stilled anyway. His shoulders hunched up, and he tilted his body to stand between me and the stairs. Eventually, once the house quieted again, and it was just the two of us, Duncan turned to me.
“Just…” He sighed. “Say you will, okay? Can you do that for me?”
“Please, it’s not worth it.” My eyebrows shot down, anger and concern mixing within me. “Whatever it is, it’s not.”
A glower I didn’t understand darkened his features. “Promise. Me.”
I couldn’t say no to him. Which was why, reluctantly, I whispered, “Yes,” and meant it.
The memory loosens its grip, and I lift my eyes to Duncan.
The man standing in front of me now is older, harder, nothing like the boy I once knew, and yet unmistakably the same.
The one I couldn’t ever forget, who I couldn’t hate.
Even on the darkest days.
Even when I missed him and resented him for leaving.
I never went back on my word. I always thought the best of him. Fuck, I wanted him so much that I stayed loyal when I had every right not to.
After all this time, he thinks a few words are enough to make me turn my back on him? He’s sending me away to think about what he said?
How dare he.
“Stop talking to me like that. Like I could ever hate you. I rememberallthe good things.” My teeth grit. Tears line my eyes. “Always have, Duncan, but here you are. Doubting my feelings for you. After I specifically told you, I wouldn’t have let another man touch me. I…”I love you.“For God’s sake, I was gagged, fucked, and had an orgasm so strong I nearly fainted. I think I’m owed a second or two to respond. Notthis. Not to be told time and time again that I’m going to hate you.”
“Elowyn…” His lips part, shock flashing over his face. “Your promise. You’ve kept it.”
“Of course I have.” As choked up as I am, I have to talk. Have to make him listen. “Yes, there were times when I was so”—my voice breaks, and the damn tears slip, wetting my cheeks—“so fucking alone. I was mad at you for not being there. You weren’t responsible for Barclay or me, but I-I needed you. I couldn’t do it by myself.”
“Little moon. But you did.” With a tortured expression, Duncan yanks me into the tightest embrace. “And you’re right; I should’ve been there. I’m so sorry. So sorry.”
“Don’t be.” I won’t be comforted. Won’t be silenced. I have more to say. Which is why I wiggle, trying to break free. I fail, growling when he just looks down at me without letting me go. “You’d already done more than enough, more than we ever deserved. I missed you. I needed you. But I always knew we were never your burden to carry. That’s why I never let bitterness swallow me. Why I held on to the good parts of you. That’s why I could never, ever hate you.”
