Finally, the tension deserts him completely and he holds me close, allowing me to settle my feet on the floor while he kisses my face, my mouth, the crown of my head. "Renee..."
He swallows hard, looking stricken.
And I brace for bad news. It's coming. I can feel it.
"You don't want to stay?" I whisper.
His blue eyes shoot to mine, incredulous. "How can you ask me that?" Looking concerned beyond belief, he cradles my face in his hands. "Life isn't going to be worth living unless it's with you, Renee. I can't breathe just thinking about waking up tomorrow without you. Or no plans to see you. I'd rather go to hell and sit beside the devil."
"Then what's wrong?"
His hands drop away from my face. "What's wrong is...I lied to you. From the beginning." He takes a few steps away, fixes his
