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When he didn’t move, I turned sharply and clattered down the stairs.

“Where are you going?” His voice was even. Too calm. Too freaking controlled.

“To find a ride,” I snapped.

Now that I was back at the cabin, I could follow the path to the road. This time, I wouldn’t be chased into the woods. I was going to Chicago. That was the end of the story.

He didn’t make a sound as he came after me. Suddenly, two strong arms wrapped around my torso. I kicked and bucked in protest, but he simply lifted me into the air.

“Don’t you dare!” I seethed.

Jaxon bounced me. Hard. “Isabella.”

“Jaxon,” I snapped back.

He turned and started walking back toward the cabin.

I kicked him. My foot collided against his thigh, right above his knee.

There was a soft grunt, the barest of exhales. “It’s not safe—”

“It’s never going to be safe!” I protested. And then…my stupid voice cracked. “I can do this.”

He paused.

Shifting me in his arms, he turned me to face him. Those steady grey eyes bored into mine.

Santa Caterina, he was beautiful. Like a warrior of old, carved from the great oaks that guarded the Black Forest. A section of his hair was falling loose from the binder at the back of his head.

Without thinking, I brushed my hands back, over his scalp.

His eyelids drifted closed, and he tipped his head slightly to lean into my touch.

“Bella,” he breathed.

The anger sapped out of my veins.

While the determination never left, it felt stronger for the lack of wrath fueling it.

“Youcando it.” He peered down at me. “I never meant to make you feel otherwise. I only….”

“I understand,” I finished for him.

I did.

We weren’t perfect. Just two messed-up people trying to exist in this mess of life. The only thing we could do was continue to move forward.

Together.

Leaning forward, I pressed my lips against his. It was meant to be a secret, soft kiss.

But the fire between us snapped into a raging inferno after just two heartbeats.

Jaxon sucked in a quiet breath before he started walking into the cabin. He set me down in the bedroom, hands lingering on my waist. The way he looked at me made something inside me unlock. Some piece of myself I’d never given away was waiting for him to take.

Damn…I was so gone for this man.

This man who stood in front of me with an unwavering gaze, perfect control, and lethal grace. Those grey eyes burned with a silvery blaze that defied even the darkest of shadows. And they were focused on me.