Page 143 of Wreckage

I swallowed back a sob.

He cupped my jaw, his thumb brushing away my tears.

“It’s more than trauma. More than survival,” he whispered. “You’re it for me, Elena. This is love.” He exhaled shakily, his eyes shining. “I haven’t touched another woman since you. I don’t want anyone else. You own me.”

His voice dropped to a desperate whisper.

“The man I was died in that crash, and I was reborn only for you.”

I let out a shaky breath, my heart pounding against my ribs.

And then I whispered,

“I love you too.”

Adrian’s lips parted, his eyes widening.

“I love you and Troy,” I continued, tears spilling freely. “And I want to be with you. Both of you.”

A soft, choked sound left him, somewhere between a sob and a laugh.

Then he was pulling me into his arms, burying his face in my neck, his body shaking.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, holding him tight. “I wasn’t in the right state of mind. I was confused. I never should have left?—”

“Shh,” he breathed, kissing my temple, cheek, and jaw. “You’re here now.”

I pulled back, cupping his face.

“I love you,” I said again.

Adrian let out a low, soft laugh, his lips crashing into mine.

The kiss was deep, hungry, full of every broken piece of us stitching itself back together.

We laughed and cried against each other, breathing each other in, making up for every lost second.

But there was still one missing piece.

I pulled back, my fingers twining around his.

“We need to tell Troy,” I murmured.

Adrian nodded, swallowing hard. A slow, mischievous smile spread across his lips.

“You should probably be the one to tell him,” he said.

I laughed, wiping at my cheeks. “I’ll tell him,” I promised.

And this time, the only running I’d be doing would be toward him.

Chapter 51

Troy

Ishould have been enjoying the night out. The beer was cold, the music was loud, and my friends laughed around me.

But I wasn’t feeling it. Not even a little. All I could think about was Adrian’s fucking date.