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So even though my heart feels like it’s going to explode from the pain of leaving, I tiptoe to the door with my bag in hand before turning the handle as slowly and quietly as possible.
Not quietly enough.
“What the fuck are you doing?” His voice is as sharp as a whip crack, startling me into yelping as I spin around.
I expected to feel guilty if he caught me.
I didn’t expect the rush of fear. Because I never imagined him charging out of bed and across the room, his eyes blazing, his teeth bared in a snarl. “Do you think I’m letting you sneak out on me?”
There’s barely time to breathe before he drags me back to the bed and throws me onto it. “Wait!” I beg, holding my hands out in front of me. “This was only supposed to be for one night. I have to get home.”
“Only for one night?” He takes my arms again, this time pressing me against the mattress. “How do you not get it?”
“Get what?” I whisper, teeth chattering. It’s like he’s another person again—not just dark, but violent. The way he’s looking at me, he wants to hurt me.
His smile doesn’t help anything since it’s downright sinister. “I’m changing the terms of our agreement.”
COLTON
“Idon’t understand.” The way her voice is shaking, she’s not only confused. She’s terrified. Of me.
Right now, she has every reason to be. Leaving like that? Sneaking away from me? “What is there to misunderstand? You belong with me. You have no right sneaking out of here like that.”
Her eyelids flutter so fast I’m afraid she’s about to pass out. “You must’ve known after things went the way they did that I can’t let you go,” I insist. “That wasn’t a one-night experience. You are not a one-night woman.”
“What are you saying?” She squirms against me, but it’s hopeless. No way could she break free.
“I’m saying you’re staying with me now. I’m not letting you go this time. I’m not a stupid kid anymore.”
Her eyes dart over my face. There’s makeup smeared beneath them, a reminder of everything that went on between us. How could she imagine that’s where we’d end? I thought she was supposed to be smart.
“Be serious, Colton.” This time around, she’s the one who tries to laugh it off. Like it’s all a joke. Now I understand how that could’ve hurt her years ago. Here I am, telling the woman she’s all I want, ready to kill her before I let her go. And she’s laughing.
“You think I’m fucking around? How can I convince you?” My grip on her arms goes tight until she sucks in a pained breath. “Do I need to fuck you again? Because I will if it gets the point across. You are not leaving me. You are never leaving me.”
“But…” Her voice softens, along with the fear etched across her face. “I don’t get it. You want to be with me? For real?”
“For real,” I murmur, lost in her eyes. She’s magic, pulling me under her spell even when I’m half-crazy with outrage and the knowledge that had I slept deeper, she would’ve gotten away. Sure, I could’ve easily found her, but that’s not the point.
It’s making sure she knows I’m not letting her go, something I should’ve made clearer last night.
But last night, I couldn’t know what it would be like, opening my eyes and seeing her standing at the door. The way my heart clenched. The dropping of my stomach. The sense of losing everything that ever mattered.
“But you’re… you. Why would you want me when you can have any woman in the world?” There’s that innocence again. I’m helpless against it. The last of my anger melts away—I release her, pulling her up until she’s sitting beside me.
“When I saw you step off the elevator last night, every other woman in the world ceased to exist.” She opens her mouth, prepared to argue, but I shut her up with a hand over her mouth. “Shut up and let me talk. You’re all I want. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. I understand now why no other woman has ever been enough.”
“Colton…” she mumbles, the word muffled. “Please don’t say things like that. Be honest.”
“I mean it.” Cupping her face, I draw her close. Fuck. She is so precious, so fragile and perfect, and so in need of my protection and adoration. I can’t believe I went this long without her. “Nobody could measure up to you.”
She covers my hands with hers, a smile beginning to spread. “I’m just me.”
Just her? Talk about an understatement. “You’re everything. I already knew you were special when we were kids, but I’ve seen some things. I’ve been places and I’ve met people, and time has only made you more special.”
“I wish I could believe that.”
“I’ll show you. Just tell me how. What can I do?” All she does is laugh in disbelief. “I’m serious. I’ll spend every day of the rest of my life demonstrating what you mean to me. How important you are.”
