AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Is it really that important to you?”
When she nods, I roll it over in my mind. In my profession, if there’s ever an opportunity to use something to further my negotiations, I won’t hesitate to use it. Especially with the woman underneath me. She holds all of the power.
“I want you to love me, Callie.”
“What aboutyoulovingme?”
When I remain silent, her words repeating themselves in my brain, she drops her hands. “That’s what I thought. You want me to give you everything, but you refuse to share yourself with me. I’ve never met someone who’s such a hypocrite.”
I grit my teeth, already missing the feel of her touch on my skin. “I don’t know if it’s possible for me to love anyone.”
“Yes, it is. You love yourself. That’s why you act the way you do. The lying and hidden agendas all lead you to getting what you want. It doesn’t matter what my needs are or how you hurt me in the process.”
“I don’t think I can give you what you want.”
“Why?” Her eyes glisten with tears, born of anger and pain. “What are you afraid of?”
I shift on the bed, lying beside her to stare up at the ceiling. Her question is valid. I’m man enough to admit that. But my answer isn’t as easy to recognize. Not like the fear.
The only thing in this world that scares me is the thought of losing Calista.
“Being vulnerable,” I say. “I never want to feel weak.”
She rolls onto her side, her stare centered on my profile. “Love doesn’t make you weak. It gives you the strength to fight for something worth having. Love should bring joy and fulfillment, not sadness and emptiness.”
My lips twist with disbelief. “It might be the most painful emotion in existence.”
“Only if you’re not with the person you love.”
“That’s exactly my point.”
Calista goes quiet. After a few moments, she crawls on top of me, settling her hips on mine and her hands on my chest. The silky tendrils of her hair graze my arms, and the softness of her skin brushes mine, but it’s her eyes that hold me prisoner. The hazel swirls with compassion, to an extent I’ve never seen from her before.
If that’s not love, it’s pretty damn close…
“In your own twisted way, you love me, Hayden.”
She lifts a brow in challenge, waiting for me to respond. I can only look at her and wait for a denial to come barreling to the forefront of my mind. It does, but not because I don’t care for her.
I can’t risk loving her.
“Calista…”
“Say it.” She digs her nails into my skin, her gaze just as piercing. “Say you don’t love me.”
I match her glare. “You don’t really want to hear that.”
She leans down until her breasts are flush with my chest and her lips hover above mine. “Yes, I do. I need to know here and now if you’re able to tell me the truth when it matters most. Because if you lie to me about this, I swear to God, Hayden, I’ll leave you.”
“The fuck you will.” My jaw tightens as I grab her hips, digging my fingers into her soft flesh. “How will you know I’m lying?”
“A woman’s intuition.”
She holds my gaze. And then moves her hips, sliding her wet pussy along the length of my cock.
“Don’t start shit you can’t finish,” I say, my voice gruff. “If you don’t stop, you will get fucked.”
“Maybe.”
