Chapter 40

—Ellie—

I woke with someone pressed up against my back, a warm breath fanning over my shoulder. I didn’t pull away, only stared at my hand, which rested atop his on the bed. The skin on my ring finger was lighter from wearing my engagement ring for five years, and now it lay on my nightstand abandoned. And how could I ever wear it again? How could I ever face my fiancé again after everything I had done? Everything I still wanted to do.

Deep down I knew I didn’t want to marry Drake anymore, but it was my duty, even now. I ran my fingertips over Tristan’s hand, and he woke with a current of tension radiating through his body. I assumed he wasn’t a man used to sharing a bed with someone. He exhaled and relaxed but didn’t say anything. I turned his hand over until his palm was up then traced the burn scars there, wondering how they’d come to be.

My touch followed the scars up to his wrists, where crisscross scars fought for dominanc