To imagine how safe I would feel in his arms and forget about my past. But I know I’ll never forget—it’s seared into my mind and the first thing I see every time I close my eyes.
The smattering of crimson leaves around me sends me further into that nightmare, and my chest tightens almost impossibly. I try to swallow past the lump in my throat, not even realising I’ve closed my eyes.
When they flutter open, a pair of cold, hard eyes are narrowed in my direction. Not just in my direction—looking directly at me.
My heart thumps in my chest, trying to break through my ribs.
Stumbling back, my foot catches on a raised tree root as my camera slips from my hands. I fall backwards, pain lancing through my ankle as it twists, and my hands burn as they slide over the gravel and dirt in a weak attempt to stop the inevitable.
A distinct crack cuts through the air as I hit the ground and a part of me hopes it’s my ankle and not my camera.
This isn’t happening.
I suppress the cry that tries to escape my throat.
This is nothing. Get up!
Turning over, I spot my camera lying on the pavement nearby, but before I have a chance to process anything, my gaze flies up.
Sebastian is already making his way across the street, his powerful thighs propelling him forward.
Crap.
I scramble backwards, pushing myself to my feet. Blood trickles down my palms, and a sharp pain shoots through my ankle as I put pressure on my left foot, but I have no choice other than to ignore it.
A glance confirms how quickly his determined strides are eating the distance between us. Without a second thought, I turn and run as fast as I can.