Page 183 of Obey

His eyes meet mine. “You were never supposed to be someone I had to win against, Sloane. And I treated you like you were.”

“So that’s it?” My throat tightens, the last word fracturing. “Nate, I have never given you a reason to doubt me. Not once.”

“I know.” The admission is barely more than air.

“I needed you to choose me.”

“I know.” His voice cracks. “And I should have. I love you, Sloane. I've loved you longer than I've been willing to admit, and I let my fear destroy the one thing I couldn't afford to lose.”

“I’m not saying it to win." He sighs before stepping closer; so close I can feel the heat radiating off of him. "I just had to tell you the truth, even if it’s too late.”

“You’re right,” I say, pushing back tears threatening to spill over. “It is too late.”

He doesn’t argue. His expression simply gives way. The hardness in his eyes softens into something terribly open. I watch the fight go out of him as the words land like a quiet, final verdict.

“Okay.” His voice is barely above a breath. “Then I have nothing left to lose.”

Before I can respond, Nate closes the distance between us, backing me into the darkened corridor. My thoughts scatter when his mouth finds mine, and for a heartbeat, I'm too stunned to react.

Then I'm gripping his lapels, kissing him back with all the anger and heartbreak I've been carrying. I still love this man. God help me, I love him, even when I don't know how to forgive him.

We’re both dragging in ragged gulps of air as his forehead rests against mine, and I can feel how badly he's struggling to keep himself together. “Please, don't go, baby.”

“A kiss doesn’t fix this, Nate.”

“I know. But let me make it right. All of it.”

Elias speaks from behind us. “We both want to.”

We turn. He and Jace are standing just inside the curtain, and whatever poise they’re wearing barely hides what’s underneath.

I disentangle myself from Nate. “First, I need to hear you say it.” I look at Elias, stopping before him. “Do you believe me?”

A beat. “I believe I failed you.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“I know.” His expression becomes defenseless in a way I’ve rarely seen. “Yes. I believe you.”

I close the distance before I can think better of it and press my mouth to his. Elias catches my waist, pulling me against him as he kisses me back. His fingers slip into my hair, tightening as the kiss grows more desperate. When I finally pull away, he buries his face in the curve of my neck, his arms still wrapped around me. I feel him draw a shaky breath before he reluctantly loosens his hold.

“This is not forgiveness.”

“I know, Little Doe.”

The endearment lands like a slap. I wince, and his expression cracks as I whisper, “Not yet.”

Jace is the last one standing there. His hands are shoved deep in his pockets, but unlike Elias, he doesn’t look guilty. He looks wrecked.

“Sugar,” he says softly. “Come here.”

A wet laugh escapes me through the tears because somehow, even now, he sounds like Jace. I shake my head, but I’m already walking toward him. “Bossy.”

“Only when I need to be.”

The second my arms circle his neck, Jace lifts me off my feet, holding me tight against him as his mouth finds mine. He kisses me desperately, his usual playfulness nowhere to be found. My fingers tangle in his curls as I kiss him back, and when I finally pull away, he follows my mouth, stealing one more kiss before reluctantly lowering me to the floor. Even then, he keeps my hand in his, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles.

“Don't leave before we get the chance to talk,” he whispers.