22. Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

Rourke

N ow's my chance if I want it .

I watch Catherine exit the apartment block and move quickly down the street. She's all dressed up and wearing enough perfume that I get a lungful of lavender as she passes me by. I turn away to cough and to get a few breaths of fresher air before I glance back at Beth's sister as she weaves her way down the street. Looks like she's headed out on a date.

That means Beth is on her own tonight.

I have no doubt she's safe in her sister's apartment.

It would be seriously weird to go knock on the door.

It's been more than a year since we broke up, and it's fucking creepy that I know where her sister lives and that she's living with her now, too.

My guts twist as I start to pace around across from her apartment block.

Everything inside me wants to go to her.

Deep down, I want to spill my guts and beg forgiveness. I need her to forgive me so we can be together again, this time forever, the way it was always meant to be.

Only one thing stops me from rushing into that building.

I did what I had to do to protect her, and the moment I made that choice, I knew everything had changed. What I want doesn't matter.

So, I don't care how tempted I am.

I won't act on my feelings.

I'll just stand back and watch, making sure my mate is safe and protected from harm while she continues to move on with her life without me in it.

She deserves someone who could have made a better decision.

Someone who could have seen there were more than two choices.

I'll make sure she picks the right person.

No one gets a chance to hurt her.

Not now, not ever again.