His breath was hot against her neck, his fingers were exploring every inch of her body, everything felt so right, maybe it was meant to be-

No. She couldn’t do that to him.

Cora grabbed his hand from her waist, causing him to freeze. Their hearts were pounding in their chests, in sync, as though the universe was telling them to keep going, despite the risks of it all.

She couldn’t. She couldn’t she couldn’t she couldn’t-

“Isaac-“ Cora breathed. “We can’t.”

He didn’t move. “But this feels-“

“Perfect.” She finished. “It feels so right. But you know we can’t.”

He dropped his hand from her waist, but he didn’t step back. His eyes found hers in the darkness, and he rested his forehead against hers. She swallowed, unsure of what to do. She knew she should push him away, tell him to run and never look back, because falling in love with her was a death sentence. She knew this.

So why did she let him stay?

“Tell me why,” he said, his voice low.

“You know-“

“I want to hear it,” he said, his hand reaching up to cup her face. “I want to hear it from you, why we can’t do this. You keep pushing me away, saying that we can’t, but I think you’re scared. Scared to love. Scared to admit that you’re in love. Because of your past.”

Cora swallowed, hard. “I’m scared of what will happen when people find out. I’m scared I’m going to ruin you. You know I’m not good at love.”

How would he know if she refused to love him, though?

Isaac gave a small chuckle. “Cora, I’m not scared.”

“You should be!” The outburst was unexpected. Isaac dropped his hand and straightened, but he did not move. Instead, he stood and waited while she breathed heavily, her hands twisting inside themselves.

Cora dropped her eyes to her feet, unable to meet his warm, brown eyes anymore. They were a trap, a promise of safety, but safety wasn’t guarantee, not in her world.

“Isaac, I’ve stolen things. I’ve done drugs. I’ve fought people. I’ve ran away from the law. I’ve stabbed people. Ever since I was 12 years old. I dated an adult. I’ve had sex with an adult. I’ve fucked up, and the people I’ve hung out with? They don’t let shit go that easily. If they see me- with you- they’ll get you to get back at me.”

She took another deep breath. “Even if I had a perfect past, I still couldn’t have you. Because you’re perfect. You had a stable girlfriend for three years. You got straight A’s in school. You’ve never been in trouble before in your life. You’re kind, compassionate, and you have a big heart. The world has never hurt you the way it has hurt me. You see the good in the world- I see the bad. I would destroy you from the inside out. I can’t do that to you, Isaac. I would never forgive myself.”

She couldn’t forgive herself now and she hadn’t even done anything.

Silence. The silence killed her more than anything. She wanted him to scream at her. She wanted him to do anything except stand there, his chest moving up and down in deep, soothing breaths. She was going insane as the seconds ticked by and he didn’t say anything-

“Cora-“ he took a deep breath. Was he laughing at her? He fucking was, wasn’t he?

“Love,” he tried again, barely containing the laughter in his voice. “I don’t think you understand.”

She finally looked up at him. He WAS laughing! He had that fucking smirk on his face. Why was his laugh so intoxicating? Why wasn’t she mad at him for laughing at her?

Why why why why why?

“First of all, I am NOT perfect,” he started, shaking his head. “Whoever told you that I’ve never gotten in trouble is a fucking liar. My dad is the sheriff. I got off easy. Stealing? All the time. Drugs? Definitely. Fights? Absolutely. Don’t get me started on what happens when I’m with the boys.”

His eyes softened, his laughter fading. Cora tensed.

“Second of all, your past doesn’t define you, Cora. I’ve watched you get better. I’ve watched you put it behind you. And having sex with an adult, as a child, is NOT your fault. You didn’t have the resources I did. Your parents were abusive. Your boyfriend was abusive. None of that is YOUR fault. I will never fault you for doing what you had to do in order to survive.”

He cupped her face again, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Third of all? You’ve already destroyed me.”

Just like that, she knew he was the one.

His lips found hers again, and the universes collided. She knew it was wrong. But she couldn’t find it in her to push him away this time.

They were playing a risky game. But what if- what if they won? What if they played their cards right and they won?

Maybe that was enough to keep them alive.