Page 128 of Bloodlust

Loving Daniel was like snow.

Gentle. Pure. Light. Heavenly. Quiet.

It was easy.

It was so simple.

Hayden isn't snow.

He's thunder and lightning and hail.

Loud. Chaotic. Destructive.

Beautiful.

And unforgettable.

He's the northern lights.

Temporary.

"I..."

"Only you," Hayden whispers again, brushing his nose against mine as he holds the back of my head. "I won't give up on us, Camilla. I don't care how long it'll take. I won't stop chasing you."

My chest tightens because I know I need to stop running. For a second. Just for a moment, I need to stop fucking running. I've been running for so long. It's exhausting. I am so goddamn tired.

"Hayden," I whisper, fisting his shirt as I pull myself up on my tiptoes. Licking my lips, I meet his determined eyes. "I..."

"Say it," he begs. "Just once. If this is the end, Camilla, then please... Please say it." His jaw locks. "One fucking time."

I blink away tears, my heart crumbling as I allow myself, for a fleeting second, to look directly at the sun.

"I love you," I breathe out. "I love you, Hayden."

"I know," he whispers, casting me a bittersweet smile. He rubs the pad of this thumb across mytrembling lips. "I'll figure this out, Camilla. I promise." He leans over, giving me a parting kiss. "I love you too much to give up." Hayden inhales, glancing at the door. "This isn't goodbye, Camilla."

"Then what is it?" I ask, knowing that in less than two hours I'll be shipped far, far away from the man that's become by North Star. "What is it, Hayden?"

"Merely an obstacle," he says, twisting the door handle. I frown and he gives me a knowing smirk. "Don't worry, Camilla, I don't break rules." He opens the door. "But I sure as hell bend them."

"They won't tell you where I'm going," I note as he cautiously leads us out the broom closet. "They won't?—"

"Have a little faith, Camilla," he says under his breath before he walks away from me.

I close my eyes.

He's gone.

But I still feel his lips on mine.

Not like a ghost.

But an angel.

Epilogue

BUTTFUCK NOWHERE, TEXAS

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