Page 138 of The Hunter's Empire

"I wanted to talk."

A humorless laugh escapes me.

"No." I shake my head, trying to steady my breathing. "You wanted to avoid talking."

His expression tightens almost imperceptibly. "That's not fair."

"Isn't it?" I fold my arms tightly across my chest. "You ask me about Sebastian. You ask about my engagement. You look at me across every room we walk into."

I swallow hard, feeling every emotion I'd spent days forcing down finally pushing back to the surface.

"But the one thing neither of us is apparently allowed to acknowledge..." My voice falters despite every effort to control it. "...is that you kissed me."

Silence stretches between us. He doesn't deny or explain it. He just stands there, looking at me.

Something inside me finally snaps. I let out a hollow laugh.

"Do you know what's cruel?" I ask, my voice trembling. "You make me feel things... and then you act like none of it happened."

His jaw tightens. "I was trying to do the right thing."

"You were trying to do the easy thing."

His eyes narrow.

"You keep hiding behind duty, behind my engagement, behind whatever excuse is convenient that day." I take another step back, tears blurring my vision. "But that's all they are, Nico."

He doesn't move.

"You know what I think?" I whisper.

He waits.

"I think you're a coward."

The word hangs between us. I know it hurts. I mean for it to.

His expression changes so subtly that anyone else would've missed it, but I don't. Something inside him finally gives way.

"I've walked into gunfire without thinking twice." He says quietly. "I've stood in front of men twice my size. I've buried everyone I've ever loved."

He takes one slow step toward me. "But this..."

Another step. "...this is the first thing that's ever made me afraid."

I forget how to breathe.

His hand comes up slowly, giving me every opportunity to stop him. His fingers brush my cheek with almost unbearable gentleness.

"I'm terrified." He admits. "Because if I kiss you again..."

His thumb grazes my jaw. "...I won't be able to walk away from you."

The space between us disappears. His lips find mine before either of us can lose the courage to let them.

Chapter 28

Zora