Dare to be Mine (37 page)

He wanted to hurt her, knowing full well
that words would be much
more cruel
than any physical
pain he might inflict. "I have hated you since that day," he forced
out.

"I have never stopped loving
you," she replied desperately, her lips stealing a sweet kiss against the
corner of his mouth, hurt deeply at the cruel words he spoke.

"Well, you shouldn’t," Daniel
hissed, his jaw clenching from Elyssa's nearness, from her soft touch and her
feminine scent. “There is obviously something in me undeserving of anyone’s
love.”

Shaking her head in denial, Elyssa said,
“I used to wonder, when I was growing up, if there was someone out there for
me. Not just any man, but just that one man I couldn’t bear to live without.
The only man I could ever love.” He continued glaring at her, not wanting to
hear her foolish young dreams of love. “It is you, Daniel. You are that one.”
She pressed her lips against his mouth once more.

Pride mocked him and Daniel wondered how
he could ever trust Elyssa again. She had put him through hell.
Had more than thoroughly punished him for his many sins.
And
Daniel knew he may as well die if he let her leave.

Sensing his reluctant willingness,
Elyssa clung to Daniel, searching his eyes for any sign of forgiveness. What
she saw was her own tortured soul mirrored in his bleak expression. A look of
despair so deep, so painful, it was almost beyond hope. And ">