Page 55 of Forget Me Not

Rhea goes to turn around, but I put a hand on her shoulder. “Stay still.”

“What the hell are you doing? Don’t touch me!” She tries to shove me away, but it’s weak.

I shake my head at her armored behavior before wrapping the sleeves of my shirt around her waist. I tie them in a knot in front of her, tugging tightly to keep it in place.

“Why are you doing that?”

“Because you’ve bled through your pants.”

“Ugh,” she grumbles under her breath, but I hear her very clearly. “I hope that fuckwad dies a slow and painful death.” Her voice rises as she appears to shake away the thought. “You’re something else.”

“Why? Because I’m tying my shirt around the waist of the girl I love to hide that she’s got her period unexpectedly?”

“Yes!” She huffs. “That and the fact that you think you love me. Add to it that you haven’t taken your eyes off me during my entire shift. All of it. Yes! You’re fucking blackmailing me. You’ve staked some sort of sick claim on me and I don’t even know you.”

“Give it some time, baby.” I rest my chin on her shoulder, inhaling her scent. It’s a mixture of her and the greasy food in the tavern, but it’s still her nonetheless. “Before long, we’re going to know each other very well.”

She jolts to the left and I straighten my back, her aroma still floating in the air around me.

“It’s obvious you know nothing about me because if you did, you’d know that I can disappear in the blink of an eye. I have the ability to be anyone I want to be.”

“I won’t deny you’re very good at running away. However, your hiding skills could use some work. If you were as good as you think you are, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

She quirks a brow. “Are you saying you followed me to Lockhaven?”

“As I’ve said before, this wasn’t a chance encounter, Rhea.”

Mouth dropped open, she takes a step back. “It was you.” Her voice shakes and cracks. “You’re the man in the black car.” Her hands fly to the sides of her head and she grips her hair, pulling strands from her ponytail. “How did I not see this? Why didn’t I put two and two together?”

“You’re a smart girl. I knew it would all click eventually.”

A terrified look crosses her features as she takes another step back. “But why? Did my father send you?””

“As I’m sure you already know, your father is dead, Rhea.”

“I know he’s dead, which makes this all the more unbelievable. What do you want from me? Are you…” She blinks rapidly, collecting her thoughts. “Are you the man I’m supposed to marry?”

She begins pacing erratically, fisting her hair. I grab her by the shoulders and hold her in place. “I wasn’t sent by your father. If anything, I’ve been keeping you safe from the men who were. I’m only here because I love you.”

“Love?” She chuckles dryly. “You don’t know me enough to love me.”

“Rhea, baby. I loved you at first sight and every sight since then. I don’t have to know everything about you to know that I want to know everything about you. I want to know what makes you smile. What makes you laugh. What makes you cry. I want you to tell me about every person you’ve encountered who has done you wrong, so I can make them pay. I want you. All of you. Forever.”

Her eyes widen, neck craned back as her head shakes in slow and subtle movements. “You don’t know what love is.” Her words are a whisper, but ones I hear, and feel, deep inside my soul. “You’re not in love, Alaric. You’re obsessed. Those are very different things.”

Stepping closer, I refrain from touching her because I know she’ll only move away. “I know what love is because of you. It’s the very emotion we fight to avoid, but also the one that heals the darkest parts of ourselves. You healed me, Rhea. And I’m going to return the favor.”

I notice her hands resting over her stomach. With her chin down, she closes her eyes momentarily. “I never want to feel an emotion so strong again. So if you think you’re going to make me love you, you’re wrong. I’m no longer capable.” She lifts her sad eyes to the mirror, looking into mine. “Run while you still can. Before your heart is too invested in someone who can’t even take care of her own.”

My eyes slide to her hands again, cradling her stomach as memories infiltrate her mind. Memories I know to be some of the most painful she holds. “If my heart breaks, I’ll gladly use the pieces to mend yours. I know I haven't always gotten to you in time, Rhea.” I move my hand over hers and I’m surprised when she lets me. I need her to know the truth, to see it for herself. “But I've always been there. I won't make the mistake of getting to you too late ever again.”

Her eyes hold me in place as she tries to make sense of my words. Her gaze carries a warmth that rekindles a flame deep within me. One that I felt was slowly sizzling out as hope for a future with Rhea began to seem so bleak. I knew this wouldn't be easy, but I never anticipated it would be so hard. The look she's giving me now reassures me that everything I've done, and continue to do, is worthwhile. For the briefest of moments, I feel seen by her.

She takes a step back and I allow her that space. “I…I have to go home and change.”

Stumbling over her feet, she goes to the door and attempts to rip it open, only to be halted by the lock. With a trembling hand, she clicks the latch and yanks the door with so much force, I’m surprised it’s still on its hinges. When I step out behind her, I watch as she leaves—wearing my shirt around her waist. Fuck if that image will not be etched in my memory for an eternity.

ChapterEighteen

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