Page 60 of Untamed Sinner

The problem is I don’t feel trapped—I feel wanted, and I have no idea what to do with that. I look up at him. “You’ve known me for less than a week.”

“Six days, including the day raiding Turner’s compound,” he corrects.

I roll my eyes. “That’s not better.”

“It is if you’re counting.”

Despite everything, a laugh escapes me.

His expression doesn’t change. He’s serious. Completely.

I’d shake my head if I could, but he’s holding me in place. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

His gray eyes lock on mine, not a flicker of doubt in them. “I know exactly what I’m asking for.”

“I kill people,” I say right into his soul.

He just shrugs. “So do I.”

“I leave.”

“Not anymore.”

Something cracks in my chest. “You can’t just”—I gesture helplessly between us—"decide this.”

He shrugs again. “I already did.”

I look away first. “You don’t know what it’s like. I’m not like a normal person anymore. I lost that part of my soul thirteen years ago the first time I was raped.”

His voice is quiet when he answers. “You think I’m normal? I make broken look functional.”

I swallow hard. “You’ll regret this.”

He smiles. “No regrets, remember?”

My heart stills, and another silence settles between us. It’s different this time. Not awkward. Heavy. Hopeful.

Terrifying.

“What if I run?” I ask, my voice almost a whisper.

His face softens, just enough that most people would miss it. “I’ll find you.”

“What if I tell you to leave me alone?”

His free hand brushes down the side of my neck. “I’ll make sure you’re safe first.”

I huff out something halfway between a laugh and a sob. “You’re impossible.”

“So I’ve been told.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. Not possessive. Not demanding. “I don’t need an answer today.”

“Good, because you aren’t getting one.”

His thumb grazes my cheek. “But I need you to stop pretending this doesn’t matter. That you aren’t already mine.”

My eyes burn. I haven’t been anyone’s anything in longer than I can remember. “I don’t know how to be yours.”

His hand slides down the side of my body. “I’ll show you.”