I knew I shouldn’t.
Every cell in my brain screamed at me that this was wrong. This was supposed to be fake—an arrangement, a front to shut people up.
But none of that mattered in this moment. Not when she had drawn near to me. Not when she was this close. Not when I could feel her breath brush across my lips, soft and shaky. Not when the memory of her hurt, her arm marked red, was still burning like gasoline in my chest.
I’d meant it when I told her I’d do more for her without blinking. Fighting Caleb, warning Tara off—it hadn’t been an act. It hadn’t been about image or pride. It was because of her. Only because of her. Because the thought of anyone laying a hand on her lit a fire in me that I couldn’t put out.
Nah, I couldn't stop.
And so I didn’t stop.
I leaned in and kissed h
