Page 18 of Puck My Heart

“The hell were you doing?” he raged, reaching across the centre console.

One hand shot out to latch behind my neck as I attempted to crabwalk backward, all thought of taking him to the hospital dissipating in the need toget away. Hux was angry. Seriously angry and all that fury was aimed at one person—me. His intensity had been sexy as all fuck when he was aroused and we were together earlier but right now his attention was overwhelming and seriously scary.

“I’m sorry,” I gasped, yanking away and slapping at him as the tears that horrified me blurred my vision and fell without my permission. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’msorry—”I chanted without any thought of what I was actually apologising for. Storming out of the house after he lied to me, gave up on me,left mejust like everyone else? Because I hit him with my car? Even in my panicked state I knew that was my fault. But he didn’t seem to be damaged, even though the logical part of my head told me that I couldn’t possibly afford the insurance on damaging the captain of the Jericho Chimeras.

Hux stilled, though his hands didn’t drop. “Breathe, Annie,” he murmured, his soft voice at complete odds to his terrifying expression.

I choked on an utterly inappropriate giggle. “It’syouthat’s causing the panic,” I managed, sucking in precious air. His fingers massaged the back of my neck in sensual circles I remembered from last night, and clarity resumed in my panic fogged bran. He’d always been able to do that, back when. Before I fell apart and was ruined. Before yesterday. “I’m sorry I hit you.”

He eased a little closer, pressing me into the driver’s seat. I should have been scared of him this close but—this was Hux. The switch confused me but I knew this man> I thought I knew this man. He stroked my cheek and my fear dropped away with the familiar gesture as I recalled him picking glass out of my feet yesterday. At the same time, I cursed myself for not being able to hold to the stubborn resolve that brought me outside in the first place.

A pretty face and I fold? Great instincts, Anya.

I snarked at myself internally. Wasn’t this how I fell into a trap with Peter, after all?

“Don’t do that. Don’t compare what we have to him,” Hux murmured, winding his arms around me. “You scared me.”

And add gaslighting to that little episode.

I scared myself.

I slapped his chest as hard as I could at close range, which was to say that my efforts did fuck all damage. “Youliedto my brother. To his face, Hux. About us. After I told you–” My throat closed up as his face blurred. I dropped my head, hiding in his chest behind my hair with nowhere to go. Not really wanting to go anywhere else, only stay with him. “Reality sucks. You were better as a daydream.”

“Only a daydream, huh? I hoped I ranked better.” His knuckle brushed beneath my chin, but he didn’t force my face up. Slowly his fingers uncurled, cupping my cheeks. Roughenedthumbs stroked my skin in slow, measured caresses I liked way too much.

“Stop that. You’re making it too hard to concentrate.” I banged my forehead against his breastbone and refused to look up.

He sighed and dropped his hand. “You’re right. I lied to your brother. I got scared. And then…you scared me.” His voice tightened, and this time I did look up.

“Bullshit.” But my words had no emphasis in them. “Talk to me, Hux.” I threw his words at him, more than a little desperate to understand.

What we had this morning felt like it encompassed the years, the giant abyss where I’d be so freaking alone all that time. But now we also stood on a tightrope right over the centre of that void. If we fucked up this chance to bring it all together and cross that divide hand in hand then…

We fell. Apart.

Away from each other.

I wasn’t sure we’d be able to come back from that. If I could. Once my trust was broken, truly ruined…tears didn’t prick my eyes; they cascaded straight over my lashes at the thought of losing Hux when I’d just found him again.

Maybe. Depending on what fell out of his mouth next.

That sexy mouth that could kiss with godlike qualities…damnit.

Hux’s arms tightened on me, hard and unbreakable. Like a possession. No, like he…cared.

“I thought you were running away. I thought you were driving back out in the snow,” he said, his voice hoarse. “And I was scared out of my mind that you would— would?—”

Suddenly it all clicked, and I cursed myself as the biggest bitch on the planet.

“You thought I’d end up in a wreck like your parents and your brother,” I said softly, staring up at him with wide eyes. “Oh fuck, Hux. I’m sorry. I didn’t think. And then I hit you. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He crushed me against his chest, a ragged breath rattling there from somewhere deep within. His mouth pressed to the top of my head. “You’re safe. And you didn’t hit me.”

“I– what?” I tipped my head back and peered up at him. “I hit something.”

“Yeah.” He squeezed me gently. “You hit my truck, Annie. But I'll get over it. It’s only paint. I’m just glad you're safe.”

“Okay.”

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