Page 181 of In Love and Revenge

He clears his throat. ‘I rarely visit. I don’t keep anything personal there, I didn’t think you’d notice. I hope ...’ He winces. ‘I hope it being mine didn’t—’

‘It was perfect. Thank you for letting us stay there.’

He nods curtly.

‘Where is your father?’

Joy that the answer is no longer ‘in prison’ makes my chest lift.

‘Looking at properties. He’s been talking to a solicitor. He’s going to be compensated for being wrongly convicted. He should get enough to buy somewhere for himself.’

‘For himself?’

‘Yes.’

Rafael stares at me, his expression unreadable, and it hits me ... He isn’t going to come to me. He’s waiting for me. He’s handing the control over to me.

I take a deep breath.

‘I’m moving back into my old place,’ I announce.

He still doesn’t move.

‘Raf—?’

‘Tell me you don’t mean that hovel where Mike is your neighbour,’ he growls.

I bite back a shocked laugh. So much has changed, but not everything. Rafael Fairfax is still a dreadful snob.

And I love him.

‘I mean the one where my roommate likes to imprison me inside his arms as he sleeps,’ I say.

‘It’s the only thing that keeps his nightmares away,’ he replies without missing a beat.

My throat aches and I slowly move towards him.

‘No secrets this time. No lies. Complete honesty,’ I whisper.

He still doesn’t move. It’s like he can’t bring himself to in case I change my mind.

‘I swear on Freddie’s life.’ He lowers his voice. ‘I swear onmylife.’

I stop directly in front of him. Holding his eyes, I lift my hand and place it over his chest where the scar sits beneath the fabric.

He sucks in a sharp breath, his pupils blowing wide.

It’s the first contact we’ve had in two months. And the deep thrum of his heart pushes against my palm like it’s trying to jump into it. Trying to sacrifice itself to me.

He screws his face up like he’s in pain.

‘Every beat is yours, Aurora,’ he breathes. ‘You know that.’

‘I know.’

We stare at one another in silence as his heartbeat against my skin speaks for us.

‘I’ve watched every one of your videos.Every single one you’ve ever made,’ he says in a hoarse confession.