AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A soft twist of a half-smile. "Give me some credit, Tati. I know how to be invisible when I need to be."
"But," I frowned, not understanding, "why?"
"I made a promise." Eyes determined. "I left you once, baby. Never again."
I blinked, for some reason, things were not sinking in. "Wait. So you've been following me this whole time? I ran away, months ago."
He nodded. "Yes."
"Following me?"
"Yes."
"But." I could only stare in astonishment. "Why?"
"You know why, Tati."
"Tell me, Knight," I whispered. "I need to hear it."
His throat bobbed, the words stuck in his throat, but he forced them out through sensual lips. "Because I love you. Because I want to be with you for the rest of my life. Because I made the mistake of abandoning you once, and I will never make that mistake again."
"But..." repeating the word for what seemed like the billionth time, "I..." I could only stare at him in astonishment. Then, after a few stuttering thoughts, I managed to get my brain working. I shook my head. "I can't, Knight. I can't rely on you to get me through this. I need to do it on my own."
He stared at me lazily, leaning against the wall. A shoulder lifted. "I know."
"But... What does that mean?"
"I'm here, in whatever capacity you need me. I can be invisible. Or I can be here. You don't have to shoulder this alone. You never do."
"But what if I want to?"
"Then that's okay, too."
We stared at each other, the silence between us not uncomfortable as I tried to understand what he was saying. "So, you're trying to tell me," my brain was slowly getting it, "you're going to follow me around, but not force me to be with you."
"Yes."
"And..."
"And what?"
"Why?"
He leaned forward, kissing my forehead again. "Because you're worth it, Tati. You always have been. I've just been an idiot."
He pulled me into his arms, positioning me so I was comfortable, leaning against his chest. I felt tucked in, safe. "Is that okay?"
I didn't answer for a long moment, considering his words.
Was it okay?
I closed my eyes, resting, until, finally mumbling against his chest. "Yes."
Because it was. Something inside me hummed at his closeness. I'd missed him, achingly bad. Wished he could do exactly this. Be here for me when I was alone and tired. When I needed a shoulder to cry on.
And, even though I wanted to learn to stand on my own two feet, I still wanted him when I was weak and needed him. Maybe I didn't have to be alone to be strong.
"I might run away tomorrow," I warned him, but he chuckled, the sound low, familiar, and comforting.
