Page 101 of Verses Of Us

He laughed, his tongue swiping across his lip. “Lex, we need to talk about this.”

Now close enough that he could reach out and touch her, she stilled, her entire body tensing.

“No, we don’t.” Born from his nearness, shivers inched over her skin. “Please, Ciarán.” Her voice was unsteady, shaky, but she forced her strength to last a little longer. “It’s better this way.”

“Look at me, love,” he begged, and she realized she was staring at his feet.

Love.

A sharp pang twisted in her heart. How could a single word cause so much turmoil? He stood so close, his body begging to be held, the heat of it grazing her skin. She sensed the joy it would bring if she gave in.

“I can’t,” she insisted.

“Lex, please.”

And just as she’d feared, he reached out for her. The warmth of his solid frame was immediate. He took her hand and placed it flat against his chest. Through the thin fabric of his t-shirt, she felt his heart racing. The notion that this was as difficult for him as it was for her numbed her fears.

“I need you to look at me. And then I’ll leave.”

She knew how destructive his gaze was and was positive about what she’d find if she met his eyes. But she needed him to leave, of that she was also certain. If looking at him would make it happen, then she’d have to try.

NEVER AGAIN

Alexis

Shehadn’tnoticedbefore,but his eyes were red. She assumed it was from travel, but deep down, she wanted to hope it was for another reason.

“I refuse to lose you again,” she whispered, the words crawling out of her tight throat. A few tears fell down her cheek, and she rubbed them away.

“Why do you assume you’ll lose me?” The sun threw harsh light across his face, highlighting every wrinkle and freckle, causing his blue eyes to be even more striking. He still was so beautiful to her, so handsome.

“Because I’ve always lost you. Eventually, you’ll grow bored. You always have.” She turned away, directing her gaze out the window. “Let’s face it. The only reason you’re here is because I left you this time around. Something your ego can’t handle.”

She pulled her hand loose and stepped back.

His arms fell to his sides. His shoulders dropped and his expression softened. “You think I came all this way because I’m not used to losing? Come on, Lex.”

“Then why are you here? Why are you doing this now?”

“You’re my world.” Ciarán reached up, cupping her cheek, stroking his thumb across her wet skin. “After decades of fighting it, it only took seconds to know it had been a pointless fight.”

He ran his hand down her neck, then brushed her hair over her shoulder. She couldn’t help leaning into his touch.

“I don’t know how you do this to me,” he continued. “Or why you make me feel like an entirely different person, or why I can’t ever shake you from my bones.” He brought her hands up to his mouth, kissing her fingers lightly. “All I know is I’m yours. And even if you don’t love me back, I love you. Entirely and always.”

She sniffled and forced the words out. “You don’t mean it.”

“I mean every goddamn word, Lex.” His grip tightened around her hands. “I understand why you felt you had to leave, but I only wish you’d given me the chance to say this first.”

Alexis let out a dry laugh, but nothing was funny. Ciarán’s eyes lit up, as if thinking it was a sign of happiness. It was anything but.

“You had twenty years to say this!” She yanked her hands away. “I’ve fallen in love with you over and over again. And each time, it hurt more than the last. And now, I finally get my life exactly where I’ve wanted it… I’ve worked so hard to get it…” She gestured around at her office, but then stopped. It all seemed so empty, sounimportant. She blinked, her eyes burning. “Do you remember when we met?”

Deep lines creased his forehead with his frown and exaggerated the crow’s-feet at the corner of his eyes. “I’ve never forgotten it, love.”

“I said that meeting you was one of the most important events of my life.”

He grinned, his cheeks dimpling with a soft blush. “I remember.”

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