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I knew what kind ofhikeshe was planning on taking.
A permanent one.
“Think we both know that excuse doesn’t quite add up,” I pushed.
Charleigh shifted her weight from foot to foot, and she looked around like she was hunting for the best lie to tell. My stomach kicked when she finally returned her gaze to me.
“I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
“Yeah, Charleigh, I think it is. You solidified it when you begged me to make you forget last night.”
I watched her flinch and twitch, and I was pretty sure she was contemplating pushing right around me.
I should let her go. It was insane doing what I was doing. Shoving into her space like I had the right to be there.
When she didn’t say anything, I pointed to her suitcase. “It’s clear to me you aren’t intending on a hike. Where are you headed, Little Runner?”
Unease had her gusting out a breath, and she ran a flustered hand over her face. Sorrow filled the movement. “I’m just…leaving.”
“Why?” I pushed in closer.
I got smacked in the face with her scent.
The warm, sultry spice. I was never going to get it off my tongue.
“Because it’s time for me to go.” It was a whisper of helplessness.
She went to angle around me, and I sidestepped her, a protective rage blocking her escape. She startled, and her attention snapped up to my face.
“Please get out of my way,” she gritted.
My mouth dipped down close to her ear. “Tell me you’re not running scared, and I’ll be happy to.”
The happy part was a fuckin’ lie, but I’d do it.
The flash of turmoil that moved through her expression told me everything that I needed to know, even if she was prepared to let a thousand untruths slip from between her lips.
When she remained silent, I pushed in closer. Pressed in deeper. “Don’t be afraid, Charleigh. Don’t give in to whatever you’re thinking. Don’trun. Can feel that you’re supposed to stay.”
I didn’t know why, and I didn’t know how.
But I did.
She heaved a disbelieving sound, and those enchanting eyes flicked up to meet with mine. “How could you possibly know that?”
“Not sure. Only thing I do know is I can’t stomach the thought of watching you leave right now. Don’t know what it is or why, but there’s something about you.”
My insides were knitted with the need to wrap her up and promise her I’d never let anyone get near her.
That whatever she was running from wasn’t too big for me.
I’d pull the stars from the sky if it meant it’d erase the fear that had overcome her last night.
Emotion swam through her eyes, lashes fluttering as she blinked. “I told you last night this needed to end.”
“Why?”
I had a thousand reasons myself, but I couldn’t listen to one of them right then.
