Page 103 of Cruel Promise

I know what’s she saying. It’s not just physicality. It’s emotion. She wants me to pour all my heart and trauma and everything onto her.

But I can’t.

If I open that dam, I’ll never be able to close it, and that will make me vulnerable to my enemies.

“Ava …”

She must sense me pulling back because she places her hand on my cheek. The touch is so wholesome yet so intimate. “You can open yourself up to me. It’s the only way we can have a real marriage.”

I look at her more closely. “Do you want a real marriage with me?”

“I don’t have a choice, do I?”

“That wasn’t an answer.”

She smiles slightly. “You rarely give me answers.”

Touché, Ava. Touché.

“But,” she says, “to answer your question, I do. I don’t really have any other options except you. So, I want to make this work.”

“That doesn’t exactly instill me with confidence.”

She squints. “Was that a joke?”

Sighing deeply, I pull away from her. She looks crestfallen, and it hurts my fucking soul. “I know I didn’t give you an option in this marriage. I know I don’t have any right to ask you for more, but … if you want to make it work, I … want that, too.”

The way her face lights back up restores my soul. “Really?”

“I just don’t know how to be open. I’m not sure I ever really will be.”

“Just try?”

I nod once. “I can try.”

She stares down at the blanket, picking at it in a long quiet moment before looking up at me. “You saved me last night.”

“Someone drugged you.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know. But Dimitri and I are over as business partners because of this. I won’t let you get hurt because of him.”

“I doubt he spiked my drink.”

“No. But it was Dimitri’s club, making him responsible. I never trusted him anyway.” I stand up, putting even more distance between us. “I’m glad you’re feeling better this morning.”

She blushesagain, and it’s so cute and distracting that I almost pull her into a kiss. “I didn’t mean for you to see me like … this.” She motions to her lower body and the bed beneath her.

“Why were you …?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I feel things when I’m with you, Nik. I don’t fully understand them, but it’s all there.”

Her words send a punch to my gut. She’s admitting she has feelings for me. How can I ever do the same?

I clear my throat. “I’m just glad you’re all right.” I head for the door but then stop when she speaks again.

“Thank you. For saving me.”

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