Playing with Fire (Burn for Me #1)

by Ria Wilde

despite being the selfish asshole that I am, I know I’d let her go. But with this link, with everything I am, I hold her, I show her without words that I need her like a rope to the earth, grounding me. It’ll only take one sharp knife to cut it. I know that. But I cling because inside, I am terrified.

I still have her hand in mine, her dainty fingers curled tight like she believes I’d ever let her go.

I am in love with my wife.

“I’ll give you the world, Olivia, you just need to ask.” But I don’t want the world. Just this with him.

She sings along while bubbles come up to her chin, eyes closed and head bobbing to the music. The girl cannot sing but I’d listen to that voice every minute of the day.

And laying on the warehouse floor, listening to them while Stefan gave him the ultimatum, I saw the hesitation. It was there, just a flash. Me or his so-called throne. For a second, he hesitated.

I just miss him. And it hurts so fucking bad, like I left my heart with him. But he crushed it.

He places the thick envelope on the desk, turning to me once again, letting me see every raw and gritty emotion on his face, letting me see those tears on his cheeks. “I never told you.” He whispers. “I never told you that I love you.”

“But I do,” He promises, “With every fiber of my being. I love you, Olivia. I think I loved you from the moment you stood in my office that first day you moved in.” He’s back in front of me, finger curled under my chin, “And I knew I loved you,” He breathes, “the moment you fucked up my closet and put ketchup in my shoes.”

“Whatever you choose,” He pauses, his back to me, spine straight and shoulders stiff, like walking away right now is physically paining him. “I will understand, but please… choose me back.”