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Her eyes drop to my mouth.

Fuck.

I release her and step back. “No.”

Pain flashes across her face then anger.

Fine.

Let her be angry.

Anger keeps her alive.

“I won't finish it.”

“You don't even know what finishing it means.”

“I know enough.”

“You know you're afraid.”

“Yes!” The word tears out of me. “Yes. I'm fucking afraid.”

Silence.

“I want you.”

Her lips part.

“I have wanted you since before I knew your goddamn name.”

The field pulses.

But I don't care.

“I wanted you when you pulled that ribbon.”

Another pulse.

“When you laughed at Rhett.”

Another.

“When you called Malakai Dirt Boy.”

Despite everything, her mouth twitches.

“I wanted you in my house.” I step closer.

“I wanted you when you touched him.” Closer.

“When you came back smelling like him.”

Her breathing catches.

“I wanted you when you ran from Rhett.” Another step.

“And when you came back smelling like him too.”