Mine to Take (Mine #1)(34)

“I let you go,” he rasped. “It tore my heart out, but I let you go because I wanted you to be happy.”

She shook her head. “Trace—”

“I had nothing to offer you. Barely two hundred bucks to my name. And you were amazing. Fucking amazing. I’d seen you dance, so many times. I knew that you’d light up those stages.” He wanted her mouth beneath his. “But I also knew…you’d give all of that up, for me, in an instant.”

Because, at eighteen, she’d loved him.

Skye’s love had been real and wonderful and so pure. No hesitations. No limits.

Her love had been the most precious thing in his life.

She had been the most precious thing. And because he did love her, he’d tried, for once—not to be a selfish bastard.

“I didn’t want you giving up anything for me. So I told you I was done. That I wanted out.” When he’d just wanted her. “I hurt you.” Fuck, that knowledge still tore him up. “And even as I did it, I swore to myself that I would never hurt you again.”

The elevator had stopped.

“I wanted you to have your dreams. I stepped back. And I pushed you away.” Then he’d gone out and clawed his way to the top. Done anything necessary to make a success of his life.

For her.

In case she ever came back to him. In case she ever gave him a second chance.

“I kept thinking you’d find someone else. Some nice, safe guy. Have a family.” But she hadn’t. “The years passed, and I…I had to see you. Just to make sure you were all right. Just to…fill the f*cking hole in my chest from where my heart used to be.”

The elevator doors opened.

“I saw you dance,” he said, staring into her eyes, “and I remembered what it was like to be loved by you. To be happy.”

Her lips parted. “That night…”

“I didn’t cause the crash. I was…dammit, I was waiting at your place for you. I’d decided that I was going to talk to you that night. To see if you still felt anything for me.” But the hours had passed, and she hadn’t appeared. He’d gone looking for her.

And found the wreckage.

“You were awake when I found you,” he said. Awake but…

Afraid. Of me. No matter what he’d said, she’d screamed and pulled away. He’d thought…she doesn’t want me anymore. She can’t handle the darkness in me any longer.

He’d made sure she got to the hospital. He’d forced his way inside to see her, again and again.

Then he’d tried to give her time to heal.

“When you walked into my office a few days ago…” He stepped back and put up his hand to keep the elevator door from closing. “I was so damn stunned. It was all I could do not to run and grab you, to hold you tight.” And never let go.

She was still in the corner.

“I didn’t burn your studio, Skye. I’ve always wanted you to have your dreams. I wouldn’t destroy them.”

Her gaze held his.

He offered his hand to her. “If you love me, you trust me.”

Because that was who she was.

Skye glanced down at his hand.

He didn’t move. This moment was hers.

“I don’t want any secrets between us,” she told him, her voice soft. “Not ever again.”

He didn’t let his expression alter. “Baby, you don’t need to know the things I’ve done.” Sometimes, he wanted to forget them, but his nightmares wouldn’t let him.

She stepped from the corner. Moved toward him. “You’re wrong. I want to know all of you.” Her shoulders squared. “And I want you to know all of me.” She took his hand.

Hell, yes.

Trace pulled her into his arms. Kissed her. He lifted her up, holding her easily. He nearly broke down the door to the penthouse before they got inside.

He didn’t make it past the foyer.

Too frantic. Too desperate.

He needed her.

His clothes still smelled of smoke. The specter of death hovered too close.

He stripped her there. Shed his own clothes in an instant.

He took her against the wall. Driving deep and hard and sinking into the only paradise he’d ever known.

Paradise, with her.

He couldn’t get inside her deep enough. Couldn’t touch her enough. Couldn’t kiss her enough.

With her, Trace knew he could never have his fill. He’d always want more with her. He’d want everything.

She came around him, her delicate inner muscles squeezing hard. Her release brought on his own, and his body shuddered as the pleasure pierced him to his core.

But he didn’t let her go.

Didn’t stop thrusting.

He couldn’t. He was starving, insane with need—for her.

He’d wanted her for ten long years. She was back. No one and nothing would ever take her away from him again.

***

The phone call came just before dawn. Trace threw out his hand, grabbing for his phone.

His first thought…Reese. He’d been told his friend was stable. Be okay, be—

“Weston,” he barked into the phone. If that was the hospital…

“There’s a gentleman in the lobby, sir,” he recognized the voice of John Ford, his building manager. “He’s insisting on seeing you.”