Page 50 of Sweetheart: Part One

“I think,” I whispered, instead. “You are in no less need of a Sweetheart than your brothers.”

Ever so slowly, he released me, eyes darting between mine. And I saw, in that moment, a flicker of something panicked.

Shit…

I’d fucked up, I knew it even before he spoke. Another silent age passed, and I braced for the gathering storm in his eyes, his scent dangerous and frosty.

“Leave,” he whispered at last.

My stomach sank.

I tugged back, but he hadn’t let me go, something dark in his eyes as if he were warring with himself.

“Idon’tneed a Sweetheart.” There was something so threatening in his voice that it sent a chill down my spine. The chemistry between us died a sudden death and instead my fight-or-flight instincts kicked in. “I don’t want you Vex, and I won’t be signing your contract.”

I wasn’t ready for how much those words stung. For the way tears burned my eyes.

I didn’t cry over men.

That was a rule.

“No crying over stupid men,”I’d say to Aisha when I let one get too close.

But I wasn’t that woman anymore. Shattered, alone, and desperate for the world to be something it wasn’t, Love’s words hollowed me out and left me brittle.

I tried to pull away again and he let me go this time, but it was too late.

I felt the hot tear tumble down my cheek as I tore from his grip and fled the room.

LOVE

I’d made her cry.

I’d gone too far, and not far enough. My eyes were still fixed on the door that had slammed shut after she’d fled.

She’d… cried.

As if I mattered to her at all—which I shouldn’t.

Yet my own chest still felt tight with guilt, and I warred with the urge to seek her out and tell her I was sorry. I’d seen the flash of golden lace beneath her nightgown when she’d tugged away from me, fear stark on her face, eyes glistening.

I’d almost cracked. Almost admitted I’d lied to her, and there were words I wished I’d said instead.

I want you.

I want you, Vex, more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.

Somehow,thatwas the truth.

She felt like a missing piece—even more than the last time I believed in love. And she had to leave because that was more dangerous than anything else. If that wasn’t enough to send the fear of god into me… of the ways I might screw it up, or she might get hurt… Of the way Ebony might use it if he ever found out…

No.

Better she fled this room in terror and tears.

Better she give up this contract when the week was over. Because there was a burning, heated part of me that wanted to take those spiral stairs by twos and sign her in right now. To lock her in with us.

Claim her.

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