“Surprised he was able to wait that long.”
For the first time in her life she actually wanted to hear a man say those words to her. Maybe because she finally felt ready to say them back.
“Anyway, I didn’t feel the same way so I started to pull back. Whenever I tried to end it he freaked out and told me he’d back off. He was cool with us being casual.”
“But he wasn’t?”
She sipped her coffee before shaking her head. “No, he wasn’t. Every time I went out with a male friend for a drink or a coffee after class he’d lose it. I even caught him scrolling through my text messages once. That was it for me. I was done and told him so.”
“And he didn’t take it well?”
“He lost it.”Itbeing his grip on reality. “Started calling me and texting me all the time. Showing up places he knew I’d be. Harassing my friends. I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to get a restraining order.”
“Not that it did you any good, huh?”
“It rarely does, unfortunately. But I’m one of the lucky ones. I’m sitting here talking to you, not six feet under.”
He closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. “God, it makes me sick when I think about what that sonofabitch did to you.”
“Then don’t think about it.” She leaned forward and touched his cheek. “Seriously, don’t think about it. I try not to.”
He held her hand against his cheek. “If anyone ever tries to hurt you again, just know that I’ll be there to—”
“Ssshhh, please. I don’t intend to live my life in fear, expecting the worst to happen.” She’d done that when she refused to give Loran a second chance after the hotel incident. She didn’t want to do that anymore.
“I’ve never felt so fiercely protective of anyone.” He held her hand in both of his, resting his elbows on the table. “That kind of scares me, not gonna lie.”
“It scares me a little too.” She’d seen the way he reacted the last time he thought someone was overstepping with her. “But I’m not going to let that hold me back anymore.”
“I trust you, Bella. I need you to know that. If you tell me that you’re with me and only me, I believe that.”
“Good, because that’s how it’s going to be… until we decide it’s not working anymore.”
He dropped her hand and frowned. “We’re just getting started and you’re already thinking about the end?”
“No, not at all.” She’d laid awake most of last night thinking about this being the end of the road for them and it didn’t feel good. “I want this to last as long as we make each other happy. I don’t know how long that’ll be and neither do you.”
“It could be forever.”
She could tell he was challenging her. “Could be.”
“And you’d be okay with that?” He was watching her carefully when he asked, “Spending the rest of your life with me?”
“I’m not going to lie, I’ve never thought about spending forever with any man. It’s not something I thought I needed or wanted in my life. But then you came along and made me think… maybe.”
“Maybe, huh?” He smirked. “I can tell that’s the best I’m gonna get for now so I’ll leave it at that.”
“Does that mean we can get out of here now?” She was anxious to consummate this new relationship of theirs… at last.
He laughed as he slid out of the booth. “Your place or mine?”
“Yours.” She linked hands with him while the two girls in the corner looked dejected. “Definitely yours.”
***
Bella may not know it, but she’d given him a new lease on life. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this stoked about the future.
She was finally his. And as he watched her do a sensual striptease, he had to take a slow deep breath and remember to pace himself.
