Page 70 of Where Broken Wings Fly

My heart implodes into spectacular pieces when she begins to cry. All I want is to lay her down in the crops and kiss her again, over and over, only stopping when she’s crying out my name.

Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to mean something to someone. She’s so close, almost within reach, but the chasm between us is impassable. I can’t bridge that gap and be the man she needs right now. That’s why I have to walk away.

“Just answer me one thing.”

I stop, on the verge of bolting.

“Was that your first kiss?” Willow asks tearfully.

Flooded with shame, I have to unlatch my jaw to answer.

“Yeah, it was.”

Without looking up to see her reaction, I grab my backpack and run away at full speed. Storm clouds are gathering, but I can’t go back to my empty studio. Not after that. My lifeless existence holds absolutely no appeal now that I’ve tasted her lips.

Taking the path that leads to the distant Mount Helena, I ignore the rising winds and start hiking out of town. Willow doesn’t follow me and I’m glad. I can’t turn around and see her face again, or I won’t be able to make myself abandon her.

CHAPTER 15

WILLOW

I WON’T JUMP - MALDITO

The wind howls outside of the cabin, screaming fury and hatred as it batters Lola’s windows with violent hail. I flinch when a thunderclap directly outside almost shoves me back into a pit of sordid memories.

Crack.

I said scream, bitch!

Crack.

Beg on your knees.

Crack.

Say my fucking name.

Breathing through gritted teeth, I stare into the crackling flames in Lola’s open fireplace. The power went out a couple of hours ago. Apparently, that’s normal in periods of bad weather up here.

The storm rolled in late last night, earlier than expected. It has been raging for hours, plunging the daytime into impenetrable darkness. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Not even the Mexican sandstorms were this brutal.

“Mummy?” Arianna cries out.

I tighten my arm around her. “It’s okay.”

“Where’s the giant? I’m scared. He’s supposed to keep us safe, isn’t he?”

“Killian is at home, baby. It isn’t safe to go out in the storm. Someone could get hurt. It’ll all be over soon, I promise.”

“Okay,” she whimpers.

I rub circles in her back, trying to comfort her. Lola returns from the kitchen, carrying a tray of thick-crust sandwiches and homemade soup that makes my stomach rumble. She sets it up on the floor so it’s like we’re eating a little picnic.

“Normally, I wouldn’t allow eating in here, but I think I can make an exception today. I had to heat the soup with a camping stove, so it’s a little cold.”

Arianna settles next to her on the woven rug. “Thanks, Grams. I’m hungry.”

“Of course, poppet. Come on, eat up.”

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