“You were going to kill me,” I shot back. “How does that make you any better than him? He was at least going to give me a fighting chance.”
Dominic’s hand shot out and wrapped around my throat. I clawed against his hold as he restricted my airflow.
“I fucked up, wasp. What do you want from me, huh? A fucking written apology? I’m sorry I was going to go through with killing you. And I’m so grateful Levin knew my fucking heart and didn’t carry out my order. I’d be devastated.”
A tear slid down my cheek at his words. He loosened his grip.
“But I’m not going to apologize for anything else. I’m not sorry you’re mine. I’m not sorry I bargained for your pussy. And I’m not sorry my last name is yours. I’ll never be fucking sorry for wanting what I want.” He released me completely, and I sagged to my bottom, gulping in air.
“Fuck,” he growled, tugging at his hair before looking to the night sky through the treetops. “Fuck.”
He swooped down and lifted me into his arms, cradling me against his hard body. I didn’t fight him. I was tired. So tired of a lot of things. I let him carry me because I knew there was no escape. If he could find me in the middle of nowhere, he could find me anywhere.
“I lose it sometimes,” he said softly as he marched with me in his arms like I weighed nothing at all. His breathing was still deep and even. “I don’t fucking mean it. I’m still learning how to treat a woman I care about. I’m not used to having one around me so much.”
I swallowed, not saying a word.
“The last thing I want in this world is for you to be hurt. I don’t like the way it makes me feel. I don’t like how any of this makes me feel. I’m always worried about you. I can’t stop thinking about you. You’ve invaded every fucking thought I’ve had since I met you. I-I feel out of control and on the edge, but I can’t let you go. I don’t want to let you go. I’ve never felt so many emotions at once in my life. I-I don’t know what they are.”
He grew silent for a moment before he spoke softly, “Is this what love feels like?”
“Yes,” I whispered, sniffling.
“Then I love you so fucking much it feels like it’s choking me.” He pressed a fierce kiss to my head before falling silent.
I kept quiet even though my emotions stirred, and my heart ached for him.
Anger was sometimes stronger than love.
So instead of whispering back to him, I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the thrum of his heart.