Page 76 of A Twisted Arrangement

Another guard, slightly older, calls into his radio to have everyone stand down. “As long as you go back into the house, we won’t touch you.”

I almost want to fight just because he’s telling me what to do. This is probably why Matthias calls me stubborn.

“Move.” I shove my way past the men, back up the stairs, over the porch I’ve always wanted, and into the house of my dreams.

The door clicks shut, audibly locking.

Now, I wait.

Chapter 36

Matthias

I dropmy head into my palms, digging my fingers into my hair. I nearly fucking lost her today. She was so close to disappearing from my life. The only thing saving my sanity is the video of her looking back at the house and the clear expression on her face. It may have taken ten years off my life, but knowing she’s the one who chose to stay, that I’m not forcing her to be here, soothes something deep in my soul I didn’t know was hurting. I’ve never wanted to be her cage.

I’m going to face whatever comes next head-on. No more secrets, no more half-truths. She needs to understand exactly what she means to me. I get out of the car and make my way into the house.

“You’re back,” Scarlet states from where she’s curled up on the couch. The sight knocks the wind out of me. She’s wearing one of my shirts, the collar exposing her shoulder while she tosses popcorn into her mouth. The sight is so domestic, like a glance into the possible future, that I lose my breath. I’d gladly get down on my knees if it meant coming home to this every day.

“You’re still here.”

She shifts on the sofa, tucking her feet beneath her, and her back straightens. “Explain what’s happening.”

I don’t bother to insult her by asking what she means. She’s right. I owe her answers. Her pulse is visible at her throat, the rhythm pounding at the same speed as mine. I’ve been waiting years to have this conversation, but that doesn’t mean I’m not terrified to lay my soul out.

I force myself to relax, leaning against the couch, and grab a handful of popcorn. Her brows pull low over her blue eyes, casting them in shadow as she takes in my relaxed posture.

There you go, Little Sparrow. Be mad at me. Be anything but indifferent.

I move the popcorn to the coffee table and move closer to her, hating the way she shifts back, maintaining the space between us.

“There hasn’t been a single day in the last ten years I haven’t wanted to be with you.” I search her face, reading every little change in her expression.

Her eyes go wide, light catching the corners, before she slams a mask down between us. “Don’t lie to me.”

I curse internally, needing her to believe me. “I’m not lying. I got blackout drunk just to stop demanding to know why you made that fucking wish. I hated the fact the only thing you asked for was within my power to give because I knew I could never deny you.”

She’s shaking her head no, a pretty pink flush crawling up her neck. “What you are saying doesn’t make sense. You never said a word to me from age fifteen until I went to college. You literally ran away from your house the two weeks I stayed there. You had plenty of opportunities to reach out, even after I went to college.”

“Because it fucking hurts to be near you and not be able to touch you.” I reach for her face, and this time, she lets me, round blue eyes on mine. I run my thumb along her cheekbone, and she leans into me. I take a deep breath and cut myself open. I dropmy forehead to hers, breathing in each of her exhales. “You’re mad at me, but you could have come to me. I would have knelt for you even back then. I wouldn’t have been able to hold myself back if you did, but you didn’t becauseyouknew you weren’t ready. Getting away from all of this bullshit isn’t something you could have done if you were with me. The best thing you ever did was move to California. You know you needed that. You know it was good for you.”

“I would’ve stayed with you.” Her voice cracks, and my heart aches with it.

“And you would’ve regretted it.” I swallow hard and run my nose along hers. “You are worth the wait. I’d have given you forever if you’d asked me to.”

Tears pool on her bottom lashes, and I pull her into my chest, basking in the way her fingers curl into my shirt, pulling me closer.

“I want to believe you,” she whispers, and I tighten my grip.

My fingers stroke her hair in slow, calming motions. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep showing you until you do.”

“You better,” she murmurs into my neck, and I cradle her face, angling her until she can see me.

“I love you, Scarlet. I’ve always loved you. I loved you enough to let you go.”

I push a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, gently grazing my fingers along her cheek. Scarlet’s head tips back, and she gazes at me through her lashes. It’s the way her cheeks flush to that perfect shade of pink, and her mouth opens slightly, like she’s welcoming my kiss. I let myself get lost counting her freckles, the way her dark lashes skim over her cheeks, the small lines that crease the corner of her eyes. The way her cupid’s bow arches perfectly into a plump pout. I run my thumb along her bottom lip and slide it down, opening her mouth further. I’ve been craving seeing the small changes in her face as we got older.The way one only can when they’re close like this. She barely moves, and her nose runs along mine, the sensation sending a shiver down my spine.

I cup her cheeks between my hands and kiss her forehead. “I’m going to fuck you now.”

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