Chapter 8 #2
“Briggs?” She fell back. Her hands dropped to her sides, and she was shaking her head as she made the connection. “You’re descended from Ruth Briggs?”
“We changed it to Bridges.”
“You’re a descendant of the Briggs family,” she said flatly.
The atmosphere in the house chilled, the air frostier than her gaze.
“I’m sorry.” He wanted to avert his eyes, but he forced himself to bear the shame. His throat was thick, and his stomach churned.
“Your family.” Her face was nearly green, as if she were going to throw up. “Were the cause of her death.”
“I know.” He’d already apologized. Saying sorry again wouldn’t change anything.
“And now you’re here to do what?”
“Lore passed down in my family says Mercy hexed us,” Zane said. “Personally, I think it’s something the family made up to assuage their guilt at what they had done and as a reminder, but… ”
“Your sister believes in the curse?”
“Yes.” Zane nodded. That was all that mattered. “She’s at the hospital in premature labor. She wants to break the curse before her babies are born.”
“Are you planning on buying the house?”
“We’d like to.” Zane shared that even though it was uncomfortable. “There’s something very welcoming about this… home. As if it is calling me back.”
The whole town seemed to be welcoming him. He’d felt ease the moment he’d walked into the Finch consent was hers to give.
Mercy squeezed his fingers, holding on tightly. They surged together like the tide meeting the shore, devouring each other.
Teeth bumping, hands grasping, breath heaving, he was lost in a vortex of lust, desire, and tenderness.
She moaned into his mouth.
A floorboard creaked, and another brick tumbled to the floor violently.
Mercy jerked away from him.
They stood inches apart, staring at each other. Her frantic gaze collided with his.
His head whirled as he drowned in the sea of her gaze. He wanted to grab her close and never let go. How could someone he’d known for mere hours evoke such intense emotion?
“I need to go.” She tossed the keys at him. “Lock up. Please.”
And she ran.
Not unexpected, but his heart dropped as she fled from him.
Something precious slipped away. A loss he couldn’t explain weighed on his heart.