AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“As clear as mud.” I sigh and he looks at me with a frown.
“I told you that I can’t go without you. You’re all I want. You belong to me, Gia. I’m pretty sure that says it all.”
“It sounds like you’re talking about a car.”
“I have never had a vehicle where I could say I couldn’t go without it, woman.”
“Dream home, or family dog then.”
“I’m more of a cat person,” he says, his lips lifting up slightly in a half-smile. “MyKittenin particular.” He brings his hand back to my hip, squeezes it and then caresses my back.
“You know what I mean,” I counter, trying to ignore how good it feels when he touches me.
“The only way I know to make this any clearer is to tell you that I want to be your man and I’m not talking for a night, Angelina. I want us to build something together that…”
“That?” I question and I feel breathless.Am I dreaming?
“That leads to something lasting, sweetheart. I don’t want other men near you because you’re mine and I want to be yours. Fuck, I dream of you claiming me as yours one day.”
“Victor—”
“I know you have scars that you’re dealing with. It’s the reason I’ve tried hard not to say anything, not to put pressure on you. That’s the last thing I want, Kitten, you have to know that.”
“Victor,” I repeat, trying again but he shakes his head, not letting me speak. It doesn’t help that I can feel tears stinging myeyes and I’m trying really hard not to sob. A few tears slide from my eyes, but I manage to rein in the rest.
“I’ve spent the last year trying to be nothing but your friend. I let you keep me in that dreaded friend-zone because I knew that was all you had to offer. I can’t sit by and watch you go out with other men, though. You ask too much of me. To you, I may be just a friend, but you have to give me a chance to prove to you that you could want me, Gia. You could want me as much as I want you.”
“Victor, you should have just told me how you felt,” I tell him, shaking my head.
“I am now. I need you to listen to me, Gia. I can be the man you need. I can make you love me, sweetheart. I know I can.”
I open my mouth to tell him that I already love him. I can’t make the words form. Fear pummels me and I just can’t say it. I’m not ready yet. I moisten my lips by rubbing them together and licking them. Finally, I lift my gaze to look at the beautiful man in front of me.
“How would you make me f-fall in love with you?” I ask him, the question taking all the courage I have to just get it out.
I see surprise on his face and then, there’s no mistaking the joy I see.He really does care about me.It’s all there on his face to see. I’m scared. I don’t want to confess that. I love him, but there is a huge chance that I will never be a whole person. I’ll never be able to be the woman he needs—that any man needs—to make him happy. Still, I can’t turn him away. I have to try. I may not be able to tell him, but I do love him. Somehow, I need to get out of my head and make this work. Instinctively, I know if anyone can help me heal, it will be Victor.
“That sounds like a yes, Kitten.”
“I want to try,” I whisper. “I’m kind of broken. I’m not sure it’s fair to you…”
“You’re not broken. You’re strong. You’ve survived so much. You’re a fighter, baby. I’m just asking you to stop fighting alone. Let me help give you strength when you need it. Let me be there to take over the fight when you think you can’t anymore.”
“What do you get out of all this?” I ask him, not understanding why he wants to deal with me and all my baggage.
“That’s easy. I get the chance to have the only thing I want in this whole fucked up world.”
“You do?” I ask, confused.
“You, sweetheart. All I want—all I’ll ever want—is you.”
Whoa. He didn’t admit to loving me, but whatever he feels, it has to be powerful. It’s not like I can turn him down, because honestly, when it comes to Victor, he’s all I want.
All I’ll ever want.
“Kiss me, Victor. Make me believe,” I whisper.
My body trembles with my plea. I feel like I’m cut open and bleeding, letting Victor see what I want, as well as my fear.
