Page 151

“I still don’t understand.”

Rafe took the last two steps that separated us and reached for my hand. Lifting it, he brought it to his lips and pressed the softest kiss on top.

My knees went weak. “I think I might need to sit.”

Rafe’s lip twitched again. “I’ll catch you if you fall.”

“I’m going to have a heart attack from anticipation, Rafe. Tell me what Calder said and why you came back.”

He brushed a piece of hair from my face. “He said you lied to me.”

None of this made sense. If he thought I’d lied to him, why was he being so nice? Why was he kissing my hand and standing so close my body could barely contain itself?

“About what?”

“You thought you needed to set me free so I wouldn’t miss an opportunity for my art.”

I swallowed and looked away. “Oh.”

“Yeah.” His thumb moved over the back of my hand. “Oh.”

“I didn’t lie.”

“No?”

I shook my head. “I meant everything I said.”

“You meant the part where you wanted time to be alone, to figure out what you wanted?”

My throat tightened.

Rafe tilted his head, trying to catch my eyes. But I couldn’t face him.

“Look at me, Talia.”

I couldn’t. Because if I did, he’d see the truth. How much I missed him. How much I wanted him. How I’d spent weeks trying to convince myself I’d done the right thing while it slowly tore me apart.

His fingers slid under my chin, and he lifted my face.

“Tell me. Tell me to my face that you didn’t want to be with me.”

Something inside me cracked. “You don’t understand.”

“Then tell me what I don’t understand.”

“You had this chance. This big chance. I couldn’t be the reason you said no. You had to go.” My chest squeezed so hard I could barely breathe. “I’m not worth losing something so important.”

Rafe’s expression changed. His brows drew together and his eyes hardened. “Don’t ever say that again.”

“Say what?”

“That you’re not worth it.”

A tear slipped down my cheek. “But it’s true.”

“No, it’s not.” He cupped my face. “You’re worth everything, Talia. Every risk. Every wait. Every mile. If I had to fight for you every single day, you’d still be worth it.”

“Rafe…”