Page 14 of At the Edge of Surrender

But I did.

I had seen enough in this twisted life to know.

She ran a trembling right hand through her hair, and she diverted her attention to the wall as she whispered, “Oh my God.”

It was the first time I saw the tattoo on the inside of her forearm.

Saw what was written in a dainty script near her wrist.

Find me in the darkness, bring me to the light.

I took her hand and brought her wrist to my mouth, lips caressing over the words as I murmured, “I would if I could, but I’m not worthy of that.”

What the fuck was I saying?

But my chest stretched full as I issued it, and this tenderness came across her stunning face. A puff of soft air from between those lips as she took the hand I was holding and set her palm on the side of my face. “That’s what you did. Tonight. You made me remember that I’m real. Alive. Even when it hurts.”

I stared at her for the longest time, just swimming in those eyes. In her soul. In this beauty that was rolling out of her.

Finally, I gave her a slight nod of my head then took her by the waist and balanced her on her unsteady feet. I slipped off the edge of the chair and onto a knee, grabbed her black-lace panties, and worked them back up her legs and over her hips, situating her and making sure she was covered.

Exhaling, I pressed a kiss to her belly, not sure what the fuck had come over me, but certain right then this woman held the power to bring me to my knees.

Then I forced myself to stand.

“Come on, let’s get you home before I try to keep you.”

Before I fully stripped her out of those clothes and took her the way I was dying to. Before I pushed into a space I couldn’t go.

She warred, then she shook her head, hands coming out in front of her as she backed for the door.

“No. Stay right there. Let me remember you just like that. Let me rememberthis.”

A swell of protectiveness ramped inside me. “It’s fuckin’ late, and that asshole?—”

“Please,” she cut me off. “Let me have this. Let me keep what happened in this room. I’ll never forget it.”

It went against every instinct I possessed, and as she pressed her back to the closed door, I found myself uttering, “And what if I want to see you again?”

Wistfulness rippled across her mouth. “I don’t live in Moonlit Ridge, and I think you and I both know this was a fleeting moment. A perfect one I’m going to cherish.”

My muscles ticked, the urge to wrap her up clawing through me, and I had to basically pry the word from where it was locked in my soul. “Okay.”

Nah, nothing about her walking out that door feltokay.

She fumbled around behind her to find the knob, and she hesitated, those eyes watching me from across the space.

Energy thrummed between us.

Both soothing and inciting.

She tipped me an awed smile. “Thank you.”

Then she turned and disappeared out the door.

FOUR

EMERY

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