Ashley forced herself out of his warm embrace, dragging air into her lungs as she dragged the duvet to cover her naked body. Her heart pounded violently in her chest.
What the hell was he saying? Wasn't this supposed to be just sex—no strings?
But emotions swirled through her, emotions she'd tried to bury deep since they began tearing at each other like starving wolves. From the moment he'd thrown her onto that bed and carved himself into every inch of her, everything she'd fought to suppress came roaring back.
And now these confessions?
Fear twisted in her stomach. But this time, it wasn't just fear of him breaking her heart again—it was something else. Something worse.
Without meeting his gaze, she shook her head slowly. "I can't," she whispered.
She couldn't give him what he sought.
She couldn't save him. She couldn't even save her own child.
Lorenzo felt a part of his heart slice away, but it didn't stop him from reaching for her arm when she moved to leave the bed.
