HARD

She was not the woman for him? Why then did he have to kneel and appeal to establish that point? Didn't she know that already?

"Rochester?" She shook herself to rid of his grip. "I do not need to hear any of this. Let me go!"

"I will," Rochester said and gripped even harder. "But you have to tell me how to end this or better still end me yourself. I need every taste of you out of my system." His voice was no longer mellow when he said, "I cannot believe losing you again would make me this pathetic. I can hardly look you in the face right now."

"Then don't," Louisa said with a bite of her lips. What was she thinking he would do anyway? Admit that he had feelings for her? Why, yes he'd just confessed to that but she sure wasn't expecting his next words that followed. "Get up," she spoke harshly. "You must leave right now. I need to rest my head for tomorrow's drive. Clarissa needs to catch her sleep also."