Page 43 of Condemned By Secrets

Luther caught her staring, and she looked away, blushing.Oh snap!

“See something you like?” He was smirking at her, and her face turned an even brighter shade of red.

What game is he playing?

At the thought, Anna’s blood cooled, and she stared Luther down. “Is this a game? Because I’m not in the mood to play.” She wasn’t about to be the butt of another joke.

The smile left Luther’s eyes, and a line marred his forehead. “What do you mean?”

“This.” She waved a hand between them. “You. Flirting with me, kissing me, then pushing me away.” Anna scowled. She wanted the truth. About all of it. “Why are you helping me?”

Luther eyed her closely as he set the crowbar down and walked toward her with his hands up. Like she was some animal he needed to gentle.

I’ll show him gentle!

“Anna, I’m helping you because I want to.”

When he would’ve laid his hands on her shoulders, she tensed. “Don’t!” Taking a step back, she demanded, “But what do you expect in return?”

She heard him sigh and thought she saw a flicker of . . .No.Anna told herself. It couldn’t have been pain she’d seen in his eyes.

“Nothing you don’t want to give.”

“What?” It was her turn to look confused. She tilted her head slightly and pursed her lips. What did he mean by that—exactly?

“I like you, Anna. I enjoy flirting with you and kissing you. But if you think I’m the one pushing you away . . .” Luther grimaced then shook his head. “That’s the opposite of what I want.”

Anna frowned at Luther as she tried to comprehend what he was saying. So . . . he did want her. But, for what? “Whatdoyou want from me, Luther?”

Luther scrubbed his hands over his face, and when his eyes met hers, the tempest was brewing. It thundered in their depths, and she instinctively took a step back, afraid of what might be unleashed on her.

“I don’t want anythingfromyou. I just want to be with you.” Luther’s chest visibly rose and fell with the force of his breaths, and his hands clenched into fists. “Why is that so hard to understand?” He threw his last question at her in a snarl.

“Because!” Anna yelled, her anger responding to his. “Because . . .” The words she’d been ready to hurl at him caught in her throat.Because I don’t trust you. I don’t trustanyman.

Her eyes flooded, but she blinked, determined not to fall apart in front of Luther again. She hugged herself and turned away as she struggled to get the tears under control.

“Because what, Anna?” Luther’s voice had softened, but when he turned her to face him, there was still a storm of anguish stirring the silver of his eyes.

“Because, how do I know it’s the truth?” Her own eyes swirled with indecision as she whispered the question that had plagued her for so long.

Luther frowned, but his hand was gentle as he swept it across her cheek. “Who hurt you, baby?” he murmured.

A sob tried to escape, but Anna swallowed it down. She felt like she was standing on the edge of a cliff. Did she stay on solid ground where it was safer, or was she brave enough to step off and chance some broken bones? Unsure, she stared up at Luther.

The storm died down, and his eyes warmed to a pale blue. He took a step back, giving her space to make the decision.

Should she tell him about Dan? What did she have to lose? Her pride?No.Anna mentally winced.My heart.

Could she risk it again? If she let Luther breach her walls, he’d be able to hurt her. Staring into his eyes, she knew the pain of his betrayal would be much worse than Dan’s. But perhaps the possibility of pain was better than submitting to a life alone. She’d been condemning herself to a lonely existence by keeping secrets.

It was time to drop her walls and see what happened because if she never risked her heart again, she might be safe from the pain of having it broken, but she’d never have a chance at having it mended. And she wanted to be whole.

Anna took a deep breath, steeling herself to reveal her awful past relationship. “His name was Dan.”

???

Luther ran a hand through Anna’s hair as he thought about what she’d told him. They’d moved to the bench, and he sat with her in his arms. Dan was an asshole, and Luther wished he could go back in time to kick the frat-boy’s ass for what he did to Anna. Picturing it, Luther’s hand stilled, and his jaw clenched.

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