Page 171 of At the Edge of Surrender

And I was so, so tired of the hurt.

A big palm suddenly settled on my cheek, so gentle that it stole my rasping breath. He leaned in so his cheek was pressed to mine on the other side, his warmth all around as he cradled my face between his cheek and his hand.

His words were low and emphatic when he murmured, “Know what it’s like to be afraid. To fucking run for your life from the pain. I’d been running and running until I crashed into you. And I don’t want to run anymore, Emery. I won’t hurt you. Not ever. Not when the only thing I want to do is cherish every single thing that you are.”

My heart ravaged at my chest, and my ribs stretched to the point of cracking. “You know I have to leave.”

Kane vacillated before he somehow dragged me tighter, his fingers on the other side of my cheek winding up in my hair. Inching back a fraction, he brought his nose to mine as he stared down at me.

Emerald sparked and the golden flecks glowed.

“And maybe you thinking you have to go is just an excuse for you running. For the war you think you have to fight.”

“All clean! Let’s eat, Mr. Kane!” Maci shouted it as she came bounding back into the kitchen with her arms thrown above her head.

He pulled away, all grins again, as if the severity hadn’t transpired between us.

Kane reached out and tugged at my hand. “Come on, Little Warrior, let’s eat.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can go.”

“You’ve completely upended your life since we came to stay here. I can go to the grocery store, Kane.” I tossed my cell into my purse where I’d left it on the entryway table.

“That was the whole point of inviting you here. Upending my life.” Kane’s words rushed me from where he was standing on the third step of the staircase, hand on the railing as he gazed down at me.

A wicked king ruling his lair. A sweet, gentle soul who’d never committed a crime. I couldn’t tell anymore.

Wearing a fitted tee, colorful designs rolling out from the sleeves and exposing the power that shouted from the bristling muscles underneath. Worn jeans that still appeared expensive.

Feet bare.

Casually cool and completely ruthless.

Enthralling.

Captivating.

What I needed was some space from it before I completely succumbed to his unabashed stares and brazen touches.

To his hands and his body and the weight of his eyes.

Before it was too late, and I becamehis.

I should go.

Permanently.

I knew that Maci was safe and loved, so what was the point of my staying here?

Every molecule in my body revolted against the idea.

I could rationalize my staying here since he hadn’t even told her who he was yet, and she thought we were merely staying here for a while because he was my friend, not because this was her home.

Though we’d been using that terminology more and more.

Home. Home. Home.

Whispering of its permanence so it would be embedded in her psyche.

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