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“I… Alister said you were working on a project and needed my help.”
Wynnter puffs the idea of a laugh out his nose. “Yeah, because that makes sense. What could you even help with where it concerns my work?” Dragging his touch down away from my throat, he reaches for my hand, skims his fingertips up my soft palm. “You expect me to soil and scar these pretty things on the dirty work I get up to?”
Without the restraint of his hand around my neck, I find myself drawn into his gravity. “I knew it wasn’t true. I just…wanted the excuse to see you. The way you looked at me last time we met…it’s haunted me. I thought you hated me. I couldn’t bear it anymore, and I was desperate to take the opportunity to come back to you.”
He kisses my palm, reverent. “I could never hate you, my Dece.” His eyes open, dark above his freckled cheeks. “But I have decided that your reason for being here doesn’t warrant my forgiveness for what you’ve put me through. I’ll think up some other way for you to make it up to me. Okay?”
“Okay,” I whisper.
He smiles, and I lose my soul. Going thoroughly warm, he murmurs, “Such a good girl. Makes me jealous of who else you listen to without complaint.” His expression blackens, and he hums. “No one, right?”
“Only…only my parents. In…most things.” Most things being: not this, not right now. They’d be horrified and appalled by my behavior here today. Especially when they’re trying to marry me off to someone else.
Wynnter settles his cheek in his palm. “I really should shower. Alister was helping me with stuff in the garage, so I’m actually a mess.” He taps his thumb to my lip. “Yet you’ve been kissing me anyway.”
I’m not even sure how much of a mess he’d have to be to convince me not to kiss him.
He casts a look toward the shower, sighs, and lingers. “Dece?”
My heart launches, and I follow it. “Yes, Wynn?”
He mutters a curse. “You’re so—” Swear. “—eager.” His eyes cut my way. “You’re in love with me, yeah?”
I shiver. “Y-yes.”
“Your parents don’t approve of me, though. Do they?”
My heart sinks. “No.”
“You care about those—” He cusses. “—anyway, don’t you? Even though they suck.”
“They… We have conflicting opinions concerning what brings happiness. Among other things.”
“That is the sweetest, cutest, and kindest way you could have put that. Basically, I’m not refined enough for them, huh?”
I shake my head.
“I probably cuss too much.”
My eyes lower, and I nod.
“Bit too violent, no doubt.”
I bite my lip and flush.
His dark chuckle heats my blood. “Why in the world do you like that? Aren’t you worried you’ll end up on the wrong side of my temper?”
I peek at him and shake my head. “No.”
He plants his knees on the tile and leans in, caging. “You know why you don’t have to worry?”
“Why, Wynn?”
“Because—” His lips taunt mine. “—I’d never hurt someone I love. I know that for a fact. Because I’ve got a little sister, and I love that brat, but she’s the most infuriating person in the whole world. Yet I’ve never, once, hurt her.”
My heart skips. “You…”
“I love you, Dece.” He kisses me. He swears. “—I’d die for you. I’d kill for you.” His stubbled cheek chafes against my neck as he pulls me into his arms. “I’m a mess.” His heart beats against mine. “I’m really a mess, Dece. I don’t want you in any normal way, and I’m not easy to be around. I’m a nightmare to live with. I’m not great with people, and you…you are. You’re so lovable. I’m gonna be a dark blot in your pristine little world. Yet I really wanna stain you until you’re all kinds of covered in me. I wanna see if you’ll let me ruin you. I wanna see if you’re capable of loving me that much.”
