"That kiss, I didn't regret it one bit," he rasped, voice thick and gravelly. "And I don't f*cking hate you dammit!" He growls out, pounding his fist against the bark. She sucks in a gasp feeling a light rumble against her back. He didn't want her to think rubbish and heck he won't let her think he regretted that kiss. He f*cking loved it and wants more which he shouldn't. His eyes dropped down to her plump lips before meeting hers. Their gaze locked and she couldn't pull her eyes away even if she tried; she was locked in, captivated, and the prisoner at his mercy. "Kiss me," she whispered. Rasmus sucked in a sharp breath gritting his teeth. "You don't want this." "What if I do?" Those big brown eyes sparkled. Fuck. "I could burn you," he rasped. His own body leaning in on her, enchanted and in a trance. Her scent was all he could inhale. "Then turn me to ashes," she whispered ever so softly. His control snapped and his mouth descended, claiming hers. He felt his whole f*cking world rock off its axis.

Chapter 0 No.0

She sat in the corner of the darkroom on the cold tiled floor, hugging her knees to her chest as tears kept pouring out of her eyes. She didn't wipe them away. She was in agony. Her heart pained and she just couldn't stop this ache.

Somehow she knew the pain was related to him. It was all because of him.

Why does he have so much effect on her?

She wasn't this weak before.

"Catherine." His deep voice resonated in the coldness of the room causing the hair on her nape to stand up.

She hid her face in her arms and curled more into herself. She didn't want to see him. She didn't even want to hear his voice.

She heard his heavy footsteps approaching as he stopped right in front of her. Her knuckles and nails turned white with the pressure she was grasping her arms.

"Catherine." This time his voice appeared broken and sad. Why was he sounding as if he was in pain? He shouldn't act like that. He should be happy.

"I'm... I'm sorry." His words were a small whisper but she heard them loud and clear.

How ironic it was when you crush something into millions of tiny little pieces and then apologize. Would that heal and bring those broken pieces back? No, sorry won't do anything. It was just a bluff of ointment on your wounds that would only rot more over time.

She used to think she was so strong and calm but he proved her wrong. He made her feel how weak and pathetic she was.

She felt his hand on her arm and she flinched back badly. Her head snapped up and their eyes met.

Olive green against brown ones.

He takes in a sharp breath looking at her red teary puffy eyes. For the first time, he saw such raw pain behind her always joy-filled eyes and it painfully twisted his heart.

She watched him. He was on his knees right in front of her. His own eyes were misty. Why? Why did he look in pain? Why did he look so sad?

"I... I'm sorry." He said those meaningless words again. But did they mean anything? No.

"You cannot mend what is already broken." She whispered the same words he had said to her once.

Rasmus's shoulders slumped and his head lowered down as a tear fell on his cheek. His heart constricted painfully in his chest.

What has he done?