I used to take what I could get out of a relationship, not wanting to burden or inconvenience my partner with my quirks and idiosyncrasies. I didn’t even resent Luca for his attitude toward me. I tried to stay focused on the good and just accept that parts of me would always be unlovable.
But every encounter I’ve shared with Alaric is on another level.
He’s seen me at my worst—on more than one occasion. He’s gone to great lengths to care for and support me, regardless of whether it disrupts his day. He’s held me and praised me and just let me be. That alone is a gift that’s hard to fully accept.
Despite the demands of his job and his hectic schedule, he’s never once acted like spending time with me is a chore. Hell, he’s the one who keeps barging into my life, insisting on cooking for me and taking care of me.
I want to be with him. Keeping the details of our relationship tomyself is a small price to pay for the level of care and consideration he provides.
He doesn’t respond, the silence making me uneasy. We’re just getting to know each other. I don’t have a good read on what it means when he goes quiet.
But I already trust Alaric enough to know he’ll be honest if I ask.
So I say, “What are you thinking?”
He shifts close, cradling my head. “I’m thinking that you deserve to be with someone who can actually show you off in public.”
I crane up and kiss the hollow of his throat. “Lucky for both of us I’ve never been big on PDA.”
Rather than relax like I hoped, he only looks more stern, his scowl deepening. If he wasn’t holding me so gently, I would worry I was misreading him entirely.
“It’s not fair to ask you to sneak around,” he grumbles.
I don’t want fair—I just want him. So, changing tack, I hitch one leg over his hip and cuddle closer. “Would you prefer we go back to the way things were before?”
His muscles tighten. “Absolutely not.”
The visceral reaction bolsters my confidence, so I brush a few stray hairs away from his forehead, then look him in the eye.
“Please trust that I know what I want, and I want to be with you. I accept what that entails, and I won’t harbor any resentment.”
His scowl finally softens.
With a heavy sigh, he closes his eyes and shakes his head. “I’m sorry. It’s not fair for me to question you and not take you at your word.”
My heart lifts in response to the genuine sentiment.
I’m not sure anyone has ever apologized to me for misconstruing my words or underestimating my autonomy.
“So we’re together?”
“Yes,” he replies with a certainty I feel in my bones.
Both elated and deeply content, I snuggle closer.
“I’d be remiss not to acknowledge that the weight of what I’m asking is heavy,” he says. “A relationship like this comes with a whole host of complications. We’ll only move forward if you’re sure?—”
I cut him off with a kiss. “So sure.”
He smiles against my mouth, then pulls back, cupping my face. “If at any point you change your mind, or if this becomes too much?—”
I turn my head and nip at his finger to silence him. “I said I’m sure.”
He smiles, though his brow quickly furrows in concern.
“Just so we’re clear, I want exclusivity. I am a patient, tolerant man,but I couldn’t stand the idea of you seeing other people while we’re together.”
Swoon.
