Page 1 of Always

Prologue

Oh? What are your hard limits?

I only have one.

What is it?

I don’t talk about it.

Don’t you think I should know? So I don’t bring it up?

Trust me, Skye. You willneverbring it up.

I was so wrong. She did, indeed, bring up my one hard limit.

“All right,” she says. “I’m listening.”

“I told you once that I only have one hard limit.”

She nods.

“It’s neck binding. Breath control. Choking. I won’t do it. Ever.”

“Choking is taboo,” she says. “You told me once you love the forbidden.”

“I do.”

“Then why?” she asks. “Why won’t you do this?”

God, the memory. Addie. Loss of consciousness. The hospital. I don’t talk about it. I can’t talk about it. But maybe, if I throw her a bone…

“Why? Perhaps I’ll tell you why…as soon as you tell me why you feel you need it.”

“I…don’t know.”

I inhale. Exhale. Inhale again. She doesn’t know the answer, but itisinside her, and she needs to find it.

“For God’s sake, Braden,” she finally says. “Can you show me some emotion for once in your life?”

I cock my head as my nostrils flare. Anger curls at the back of my neck.

She fucking broke me, for God’s sake! Emotion is now as much a part of my life as breathing.

“You think I don’t show you emotion?” I stand. “How can you say that? I’ve shown you more emotion than I’ve ever shown anyone. Anyone, Skye. If you don’t know that, you should.”

“Braden—”

“No. You don’t talk. Not until I’m done. I told you who I was. I told you I wasn’t wired for relationships. But I made an exception for you. I made that exception because I love you, Skye. I wasn’t looking to fall in love. I knew it would put a dent in my life—”

“A dent, Braden? I’m a fucking dent?”

“Shut up! Just shut the fuck up, Skye. I will have my say, and then you can have yours. If you’re brave enough.”

“Brave enough? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what it means, and if you interrupt me again, this discussion is over.”

Her lips tremble as she nods.

---