Page 67 of Stealing His Christmas Present

Chapter 25

I STOOD IN FRONT OFmy car, hesitating. If I wanted Claudia to be happy, I had to get in the car, drive away, and never look back.

But how was she going to find happiness when I’d just told her all those things? When I’d made her think she was broken? It would only make her pull back into her shell again.

She could spend years angry and unhappy because of me.

I didn’t want to leave her either.

I still wanted her more than anything in the whole world, and knowing I’d hurt her again cut me inside.

How could I just leave now?

I couldn’t.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I turned around and headed back inside. I didn’t know what I was going to say, but I had to fix the damage I’d done somehow.

Luckily, I knew where Claudia’s room was.

I knocked on the door.

“Go away!” she yelled.

I tried the handle, and the door opened. Her angry eyes full of tears lifted to me.

She hopped to her feet. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“I’m sorry. I said some things I didn’t really mean. None of this is your fault. It’s mine.”

“You know what? It’s you who’s punishing yourself. You think you’re not good enough.”

“You’re not wrong about the last part. I’m not good enough for you.”

“So you’re just going to leave?” She glared at me. “Shouldn’t I be the one to decide if you’re good enough for me? Why not just try to do better? Why give up? You’ve been through so much, and I get it. It’s not easy. But you’re not the kind of guy who just gives up.”

“Are you sure about that? I told you I won a fight once because I thought they’d kill me after it.” I inched closer to her.

“See? You made a decision, and you fought for it. You didn’t just let things happen.”

I furrowed my brow. “It doesn’t matter, Claudia. I ruined your life, and don’t try to deny it. You’ve been living your life in fear because of me, and then I came here and took you—”

“It wasn’t just fear. I missed you! I didn’t want anyone else. You didn’t make me fall for you! I just—”

“You fell for me?” I stared deep into her eyes, our faces now only inches away.

“Yes, you idiot! I did!” Her eyes were narrowed at me, but her gaze focused on my mouth instead.

The energy between us simmered.

“I don’t know if I’ll know how to love you,” I whispered. “I don’t know what love is.”

“You do. You just don’t realize it,” she said softly.

Our gazes locked, and then our mouths collided.

There was no denying it.

No way to fight it.

I wanted to give in.

I wanted her.

And maybe, I could have her.

If she let me.

I wasn’t perfect, and I’d never be.

But she knew that all already, and she was still kissing me as if it was a matter of life and death.

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