Free Into the Flames (Out of the Ashes #2) by S. M. Lynn Page A

he asked me to, told me he loved her and wanted to be with her, I knew it would be hard but I would walk away.  His happiness is more important than my own and I would do anything to make him happy and keep him safe even if that meant hurting myself.
    “Ian, I’m so confused.  Please.  I just have to know , do you love her?  I don’t blame you if you do but I need to know.”
    His eyes cloud with confu sion then clear as realization that I know all about the other woman in Florida dawns.  So it’s true then.  He’s moved on.  He keeps his fingers entwined with mine as his eyes looks into the depths of my soul.
    “The woman, in Florida, Elizabeth Burke.  Do you love her?”   I try to clarify though surely he knows what I’m talking about.  I would say just about anything right now to get him to respond.  I need him to tell me what this means for me, what this means for us. 
    He really doesn’t owe me anything other than a goodbye if this is what he wants.  He doesn’t have to explain.  I said I understood and I do.  I don’t blame him.  But apparently I have a sadistic side of my own and I enjoy inflicting pain upon myself  because I can’t let him go without knowing the answer even though it will torture me for the rest of my life.
    “I didn’t think you had seen those pictures.  Gavin never mentioned it to me.”
    “Yeah, well, I…  um… I might have set up Google alerts on you.  I needed to make sure you were okay,” I say trying to explain away my stalker tendencies.  My head is spinning and my emotions are overwhelming me.  One minute I feel like I’ll do whatever he needs to make him happy even let him go and the next I feel like I’ll suffocate if he leaves me again.  This can’t be healthy.  “So what is she to you?  Are you here just to leave me again?  Honestly, if that’s the case I almost wish you hadn’t come back at all.  I thought I could listen to you and have you tell me that you didn’t want me anymore.  That it would make it easier but now I see it will only be harder.  I deserve every bit of your anger and resentment though, I do.  So just tell me so we can move on.”  I lower my head and pull my hand from his into my lap.  I never wanted to be here.  I just wanted Ian, for all my life but too many things happened and too much time had passed.  I’m scared but it’s better to know now.
    He runs his hands through his hair before turning to look at me.  “I know it’s wrong but honestly , I was hoping to bypass this part of the conversation since Gavin hadn’t mentioned that you’d seen them but… I guess I’ll have to explain everything.” 
    My chest constricts.  No, I won’t do this , not here in front of him.  He will not get to see how badly he’s breaking me.  I will be strong.  I refuse to panic; these feelings cannot steal my breath.  I’m strong now, strong enough to stand up to Dean, strong enough to handle this.  The tension eases some with my pep talk as he continues.  “Elizabeth and I have known each for a long time.  We met in college actually, though I was already dating Rebecca then.  And as you know, I’ve worked with her father on several deals.  The development in Florida is at a critical phase, and well, I needed a break, time to think after everything…” His voice trails off but the hurt is clear.  “So I decided to spend some time down there getting things wrapped up with the developer and some realtors were interested in showing a couple of models. 
    Anyway, w hile in Florida, I went to see Holden to get his take on the development and discuss some other projects coming up that he would like to work on with me. Elizabeth was at the office when I got there.  She’s working in management for him now.  We grabbed a quick lunch to catch up.  And then since she knew I was staying for a little while she asked if I would accompany her to an event that weekend, which led to another event and being