Page 123 of Broken Blades

My voice came out low, strained, rough with want I couldn't quite bury. "Get in the car, Chastity. Before I do something stupid."

She nodded, still breathless, still looking at me like I'd rearranged her entire world. "Okay."

She slipped inside, movements shaky and uncertain. I shut the door carefully, stepped back onto the curb, hands shoved deep in my coat pockets to keep from reaching for her again. Watched her start the engine. Watched her pull out of the parking space. Watched her taillights disappear into the night like a man trying desperately not to unravel completely.

The cold settled around me—sharp, biting, real. But it didn't touch the heat still burning in my chest where she'd pressed against me, where her trust had wrapped around me like a noose I'd tied myself.

I stood there long after she'd gone, breathing hard, trying to remember why revenge had ever seemed more important than this. Trying to remember what the hell I was supposed to do now that I'd kissed her like I meant it.

Because I had. And that changed everything.

I stood in the empty parking lot long after her taillights disappeared, hands shoved deep in my pockets, breath fogging in the cold air that bit at my face and did nothing to cool the heat still burning through my chest.

The arena lights hummed overhead. Somewhere in the distance, a car door slammed. The night settled around me—quiet, dark, unforgiving.

I pressed my tongue against my teeth, jaw tight enough to ache.

This was supposed to be revenge.

Simple. Clean. Surgical.

Destroy Harrington's reputation. Use his daughter as leverage. Watch him squirm while the merger collapsed around him. Walk away with the satisfaction of finally making him pay for what he'd taken from me.

That was the plan.

That had been the plan.

But standing here alone, I could still taste her on my lips. Still felt the way she'd gripped my coat like she needed me to keep her standing. Still heard the soft, breathless sound she'd made when I'd pulled her close.

Not performance.

Not strategy.

Not revenge.

Real.

Too real.

My breath came harder, clouding white in front of my face. I stared at the spot where her car had been, the empty parking space mocking me with what I'd just done.

What I kept doing.

What I couldn't seem to stop doing.

My hands curled into fists inside my pockets.

I was just falling for his daughter.

And I had no idea how to stop.

Chapter 23

Chastity

I beat him home. Barely. Hands trembling on the steering wheel the entire drive, heart beating so hard I felt it in my throat, my wrists, behind my eyes. I'd driven on autopilot, barely registering traffic lights or turn signals, my brain too busy replaying the feeling of his mouth on mine—firm, claiming, devastating.

I stumbled inside and went straight for the laundry basket in the hallway.