Page 31 of Grave Intentions

Lena sets down her fork, her gaze locked with mine. “Then tell me,” she whispers. “Tell me everything.”

I lean forward, my eyes narrowing as I study her face. “Are you sure you’re ready to know, Lena?” I reach across the table, my fingers grazing the soft skin of her hand. “You’re mine. And I’m not about to let you go.”

I lean back in my chair, my fingers drumming against the tabletop as I consider how much to reveal. Lena deserves to know the truth and understand the darkness within me. But part of me wants to keep her innocent, to protect her from the horrors of my past.

“My childhood wasn’t exactly...easy,” I begin, my voice low and gruff. “My parents were...” I pause, searching for the right words. “Neglectful, to say the least. The abuse...” I trail off, my jaw clenching as the memories flood my mind.

Lena’s eyes widen, her hand reaching across the table to cover mine. “Talon, I’m so sorry?—”

I cut her off with a sharp shake of my head. “Don’t,” I snap, my tone harsher than intended. “Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault.”

Lena flinches at my words, her hand retreating back to her lap. I exhale slowly, trying to rein in my temper. “I’ve never told anyone about this before,” I admit, my voice softening. “Noteven the social workers or any of my foster parents. It’s...” I pause, searching for the right word. “Private.”

Lena nods, her gaze locked with mine. “I understand,” she murmurs. “Thank you for telling me.”

I reach out, my hand covering hers and stilling her nervous movements. “Lena, I...” I hesitate, unsure of how to express the depth of my feelings. “You’re the only one I’ve ever trusted with this.”

Her eyes widen, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Talon, I?—”

I silence her with a gentle squeeze of her hand. “Shh,” I murmur, my thumb caressing the soft skin of her knuckles. “Just... let me have this moment, okay?”

Lena nods, her lips curving into a small smile. She’s never looked more beautiful with the soft candlelight flickering across her features. I find myself leaning closer, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

“Lena,” I breathe, my free hand reaching up to trace the delicate line of her jaw. “You have no idea how much you mean to me.”

“Why?” she asks, her voice trembling. “Why be so distant all these years?”

I avert my gaze, unable to meet the intensity of her stare. “Because I liked you so damn much, Lena,” I admit, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. “And that scared the hell out of me.”

Lena’s brow furrows, her lips parting as if she’s about to speak. But I raise a hand, silencing her.

“You have to understand,” I continue, my voice low and gruff. “Growing up, I... I never knew what it was like to have someone care about me. Everyone I loved either left or hurt me.” I swallow hard, my childhood memories still a raw, visceral wound.

“When you came into my life, I...” I pause, struggling to find the right words. “You were a light in the darkness, Lena. And I was terrified of letting you in, of letting myself feel...” I trail off, my fingers flexing against the tabletop.

Lena reaches across the table, her small hand covering mine. “Talon,” she murmurs, her voice gentle. “I’m right here. You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”

I laugh. “You don’t get it, Lena. I’m always going to be afraid of getting close to someone. It’s who I am.” I turn my hand over, lacing my fingers with hers. “You deserve so much better than me. Someone who can give you the world, not just a broken, damaged?—”

“Stop,” Lena interrupts, her grip tightening on my hand. “You’re not broken, Talon. And you’re not damaged goods, either.” She shifts in her chair, leaning closer. “You’re the strongest person I know. And you’ve always protected me.”

I open my mouth to protest, but Lena presses a finger to my lips, silencing me.

“I’m not going anywhere, Talon,” she murmurs, her eyes shining with a fierce determination. “You’re stuck with me whether you like it or not.”

I stare at her. “Lena, I...” I swallow hard, the words catching in my throat. “I don’t deserve you.”

Lena’s lips curve into a soft smile. “No, you don’t,” she concedes. “But you’re the only one I want.”

I can’t take my eyes off her as Lena pushes her plate aside, her gaze locked with mine. “I’m finished with dinner,” she murmurs, her voice low and sultry. “But I think I’m still hungry for something else.”

My breath catches in my throat at her suggestive tone, and I feel the familiar heat of desire coiling in the pit of my stomach. Lena has always had a way of getting under my skin, of stirring the darkness within me.

“Is that so?” I rasp, my fingers tightening around the edge of the table. “And what exactly did you have in mind?”

Lena rises from her chair, her hips swaying as she moves around the table. “I was thinking...” She trails off, her fingertips grazing my shoulder as she stops behind me. “Maybe you could satisfy my craving.”

I can feel the heat of her body radiating against my back, and I struggle to resist the urge to pull her into my lap. “Lena,” I warn, my voice strained. “Be careful what you wish for.”

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