His lips were close to her ear, chin resting on her shoulder, his breath slightly heavy.
"I'm sorry, Mabel..." he said, his voice hoarse to the extreme, "Perhaps I shouldn't have entangled with you in the first place. That way, at least now, I wouldn't be hurting you. I'm sorry!"
Mabel's body was stiff, her hands trembling slightly, wanting to grab his clothes but finding she didn't even have the strength to lift her hands. Her breath was held.
This was the first time since she confirmed her feelings that he had proactively held her in his arms. The man's body was burning hot, and even through a layer of fabric, it was enough to scorch her skin.
Her eyes hurt, she resisted crying, wanting to focus more on listening to what he had to say because she knew that if she didn't focus and listen carefully, she might never have the chance to hear him speak again!
