Page 101 of Princess of Hawthorne Prep

But…

Austin went through a lot of trouble to replace something meaningful. This camera will be special for entirely different reasons. I’ll never be able to look at it or use it without thinking not only of my father, but him as well.

How will I ever untangle myself from him?

“I understand you might not be able to forgive me for everything that happened, but I need you to know that no matter what, I love you, and what I want more than anything is the best for you. Even if it’s not me.”

I blink as a lone tear slides down my cheek. His expression softens as he reaches out and thumbs away the wetness before bringing it to his mouth and sucking the digit.

If my walls hadn’t been demolished by the unexpected gift, his admittance finishes off the job.

I couldn’t shove him away even if I tried.

When I remain silent, he continues in a tangle of words as emotion floods them. “I never want to do anything that makes you unhappy. You deserve the very best of what life has to offer. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I refuse to be like Jasper and make your life miserable because you no longer want to be with me. Instead, I’ll stand beside you as a friend and cheer you on as all your dreams come true.” His shoulders straighten as he forces out the rest. “Even if that means they don’t include me.”

My heart clenches before twisting painfully in my chest.

As I scrutinize his solemn expression, I realize he means it. He’s not just blowing smoke up my ass. He’s already proven that he’ll let me go if that’s what is in my best interest.

Reaching out, he slides a hand across my cheek before his fingers slip into my hair, cradling the side of my head. “I love you, and that will never change. No matter how much time passes.”

The distance disappears between us before he strokes his mouth gently across mine. For just a heartbeat, his movements stall, and we remain fused together. His breath becomes mine and vice versa. The world shrinks until it only encompasses the two of us.

Everything outside this bedroom ceases to exist.

When his tongue peeks out to lick at the seam of my lips, I open until his warm, minty breath can feather against my flesh. Everything about Austin Hawthorne intoxicates me. It always has. From the very beginning. I want to suck in a big breath of him and hold it captive in my lungs.

My lips part just enough for his tongue to slip inside my mouth and mingle with my own. There have been so many times when he was forceful and overwhelmed my senses, taking what he wanted. This caress is the exact opposite. It’s tender and shatters my heart into a million broken fragments that will never be pieced back together again.

Just as I sink into the kiss, he draws away. His eyes search mine before filling with a mixture of resolve and sadness.

“I should go.”

Everything within me seizes.

No.

No.

No.

The thought of us not being together tears at my insides.

When he straightens to his full height and takes a step toward the window, I come alive and pop to my feet.

“Austin.”

As he swings around, I do what I’ve been dying to since I found him in the chair. I launch myself at him. He catches me with a soft grunt before crushing me against the steely strength of his body.

“Don’t make this any more difficult than it has to be,” he whispers brokenly. “I’m trying to do the right thing here and let you go.”

“Please don’t. It’s not what I want. Or need.”

Not anymore.

He stills, voice dipping low. “But I thought…”

I shake my head, realizing the truth. “Maybe that’s what I needed in the beginning, to find my own way, but I have.” I draw away enough to search his eyes. “I love you and want you in my life.”

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