Give her the time she needs. She’s been through a fuck-ton of shit and just needs to process it all.

All I want to do is take her back to the house and lock her in my fucking bedroom. But I can’t do that. I can’t force Ariana to stay.

I’m not sure what Ariana feels for me, I can only hope it’s strong enough to make her realize we belong together.

The ache in my chest grows as the silence between us stretches, and by the time I pull the SUV up to the private jet, it’s hard to breathe.

I throw the door open, and getting out, I walk around the front of the vehicle and open the passenger door. Ariana doesn’t look at me as she gets out, and it guts me further.

Christ, give me strength to let her go.

I take a deep breath as I shut the door and then walk toward the plane. Reaching the steps to the entrance of the jet, Ariana stops and turns to face me. She swallows hard and then lifts her eyes to mine.

My pain reflects in her hazel eyes, and unable to stop myself, I move forward and frame her face. Crushing my mouth to hers, I kiss her with every ounce of love I feel for her. I pour myself into her, praying this won’t be the last time I get to taste her.

My body begins to tremble when she kisses me back with the same intensity.

God, it feels like you love me, Malyshka. How can you kiss me like this and not know what you feel for me?

Ariana breaks the kiss, and I press my forehead to hers. “I love you so fucking much. Don’t ever forget that.”

Her face is torn with emotion as she pulls away from me, and then she climbs the steps and hurries into the cabin of the jet.

I somehow manage to take a couple of steps backward, and too soon, the plane begins to move.

It tears my heart from my body to watch the jet pick up speed until it lifts off the ground.

I take a shuddering breath, and then my sight blurs. I blink quickly so I can see the jet until it fades into the sky.

My legs give way, and I sink to my knees. As the distance grows between the only woman I’ll ever love and me, I manage to press the panic button on my watch because I don’t have the strength to get up again.

What do I do if Ariana doesn’t come back? How do I live without her?

I can’t.

I can’t imagine not ever getting to hold her again. Not kissing her. Not having her glare at me. Not hearing her moans of pleasure.

Christ.

I press a hand to my chest, the pain unbearable.

I hear tires screech, and a couple of seconds later, Alexei crouches in front of me. “What are you doing here?”