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Clearly, she could see the inner turmoil and consternation written on his face Exactly how transparent he ith her, he didn’t know But she seemed to read him well

Wanting to escape the hell he’d created for himself—for them—he pushed deep and she called out his naered his own as she clutched him and bucked beneath him

“Jade,” he whispered as fiery sensations roared through hi to me”

Chapter Nine

Jade continued to stare at him, shocked By the tormented expression on Darien’s face, she could easily surmise he had not meant to say those words, but apparently hadn’t been able to hold them back As usual

He let out a lol, rife with frustration “I’m sorry,” he said as he withdrew from her and flopped down on his back

“Don’t be” She moved into his ar heart was a co one

“I’s more complicated or difficult between us Or for you, in particular”

Her own heart beat just as fast, despite being heavy with conflict “You seereed to enter into this…arrangement”

“I shouldn’t have let you Nor should I have led you into it I really can’t see you again, after tonight” His voice was harsh with raw eether, it’s infinitely more painful to leave you”

She understood the high stakes all too well “I’m equally accountable I’ve done a bit more than just follow”

His fingers glided over her hair, a soothing gesture She suspected he considered his next words more carefully this tiid and he released her from his loose embrace as he sat up

Her heart leaped into her throat “What is it?”

“So”

She listened intently, but nary a sound wafted on the quiet air “You hear that well?”