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Most importantly no secrets, no lies. Just us.

Restlessly, I turn over and snuggle deeper into the sofa as the rains beats mercilessly against the old windows of my flat. Rolling down the glass like big fat tears.

I couldn’t bring myself to climb into my bed, the room a mirage of memories of him taking me, owning me. Worshiping me. Tearing me apart and putting me back together with a look. A touch.

The pounding increases and my eyes fly open when I realize that someone is beating on the door.

My heart skips a beat, as I jerk to a sitting position. Who it could be? Alan? Surely not, he’s in the hospital I’m sure of it.

Teddy? I told him I would be fine, to leave me be. The wooden floor is chilly beneath my bare feet.

Piers? He’s the last person I want to see. I edge my way to the door as to pounding stops.

The closer I get, I feel it. That crackle in the air, the surge on my skin and in my blood, that lets me know it’s him. Cohen.

Lightning flashes, filling the darkened entryway with light as my hand reaches for the lock.

I don’t even bother looking out the peep hole, I pull the door open as the house rattles with the thunder that follows the lightening, crackling out in the night sky with a boom. Much like Cohen has rattled my heart.

I pull the chenille wrap tighter around me, even though it’s summer, in a useless attempt to ward off the chill I feel from the storm raging outside my door and inside my chest.

I’m shocked at what I find. My dark knight, who always seems so sure of himself, is standing in my doorway, with his hands gripping the wood above his head, a head which is hanging forward in defeat. He looks as Broken as I feel.

The water runs off of him in rivets, soaking his black tee and jeans. His wild black hair hangs in his face, hiding it from sight.

My gasp competes with the sound of the storm and his head flies up, his gaze locking on mine.

Blue eyes, filled with anguish burn into me, seeing everything. I’ve never felt so exposed.

Dark circles rest under his eyes, and I can see bruising on his face from where Alan must have got in a of couple of hits.

Neither of us saying anything. A thousand words flash through my mind. Angry ones, sad ones, words full of questions. But none come out of my mouth.

The lightning and thunder continue as we remain frozen. I want to reach out and comfort him. To feel his harden skin under my hands, but I need him to comfort me. I need his touch to remind me that it wasn’t all a lie.

That we had something. Could have been something. Confusion has me wrinkling my brow and his eyes widen, waiting for what I’m going to say.

So, I don’t say anything. I know he lied. He’s James’ son. He said as much tonight. I’m sure his reasons in coming to London were less than honorable. But when he was inside me, he found his way into my heart. I can’t even put into words, but he it was like he reached the darkest corners of my heart and for the first time they were filled with light. Hope.

Letting the blanket fall from my bare shoulders, I stand before him in my white slip. His eyes leave mine to appraise my body. The feeling of him drinking me in is the most empowering thing I’ve ever felt.

“Scarlett,” he rasps out and I barely hear him over the howl of the storm that is still beating down and soaking my floor as the wind blows the cool drops inside.

But then he went and shattered everything I had left.

“Shhh,” I whisper as tears fill my eyes.

He lied.

Lies. Lies. More lies.

I grew up with lies, I vowed I wouldn’t build my life on them. But then I did. I told them, I lived them. I heard them. I believed them. And now, I would forgive them.

He drops his hands and takes a step closer as I reach my hands out to him.

“I’m sorry—” he starts.

“Shhh. No more words, Cohen. No more. No truths. No lies. Not tonight.” I grab his arms and pull him to me.