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“I’m ahead of schedule.”
“Very, very bad pet.”
“Don’t chastise me like I’m an animal, princess. No matter if you think I desire a master, I’m not your pet.”
“The opposite of a click. No treat for you.”
He leans toward me, putting our faces inches apart. Softly, he says, “Behave. Or no treat for you.” When my entire body responds—heart leaping, pulse hammering, skin flushing—his lips tip upward.
As soon as eye contact becomes impossible, I usher myself to the bathroom.
Before I can make it in, however, his hand falls against the doorjamb, and I freeze.
His arm snakes around my midsection, fingers dipping past the tear in my dress to graze my stomach. Holding me stationary, he kisses my temple. “I care about you.” He kisses my cheek. “You’re important to me.” My jaw. “I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere either.”
I could thank him. I could be sweet, and grateful, and kind. Or I could end up on the verge of tears—which is what the tightness in my chest votes for. So, I punt every last one of my emotions into the trash. “If you think I’m going to let you shower with me just because you’re saying nice things…”
His fingers flex, indenting my skin before slipping away. “Pity. I’ve already showered this morning. So there’d be no point.”
“Not a one?” I face him, find a swathe of warmth painted across his cheeks.
“Not a one.” His chin juts toward the bathroom. “But you should go before I come to my senses and find…” He takes me in, slowly, calculatingly. “…many.”
Giggling, I confine myself in the bathroom, lean back against the door, and battle with the tempo of my heart.
Crap.
I want him.
Crap, crap, crap.
I want him badly. In every way I shouldn’t. In every way I can’t.
This…whatever this is…it’s more than a simple crush.
Chapter 27
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A life worth living for.
Rowan
Last night haunts me. In so many ways. After spending hours sleeplessly reviewing everything that happened and reaching conclusions that made breathing both easier and harder, sitting here—surrounded by such effortless peace—feels surreal.
With the way I was raised, it makes sense why I’ve never once caught fireflies before. But given how tranquil it is, I can’t believe I’ve never thought to at least come out here and watch them.
From the pavilion steps, I watch Briar, Chip, and Lace lunge after the tiny glowing bugs, encompassed by glittering light. As old as we are, it all seems so outlandish.
My hands tighten around the mason jar Briar gave me not ten minutes ago. Mesh cloth and a rubber band take the place of a lid. Inside, a dozen or more fireflies peruse their prison, gleaming faintly in the dusk.
I don’t know what Briar and Lace discussed earlier today that was so urgent. Right now, I couldn’t care less. After last night, after looking down at the woman I love as she begged me to kill her, all I care about is finding moments like these. Moments with the people I care about. Just an hour ago, I wouldn’t have been able to imagine this. Now, I can’t picture a life without the memory.
Lowering my attention, I peer into my jar and let my mind drift to the other person in my world who I care about.
Corbin.
Hours after our fight, when I’d had some time to review, process, panic, review some more, and regret, I tried to find him. Explain myself. Apologize for reacting the way I did. But he was gone and he wasn’t picking up the phone, and he still hasn’t returned my calls.
