"Tell me then."His thumb traces along my collarbone."Tell me what I'd be signing up for."
I turn my face into his chest, breathing in his scent."Late-night calls when my mom has a bad day.Helping her while ignoring the fact that there is a good chance she still might not make it.Letting my dad pay for school out of spite and going for my master's, not because I wanted it, but as a fuck you to him.A girlfriend who shops at thrift stores and clips coupons because she refuses to take a penny more from her dad than what she needs for school.Someone who's never had a real relationship because she's too busy surviving."
"Is that what you think would scare me off?"There's something almost amused in his voice.
"Shouldn't it?"
"Skye."He tilts my chin up, and I can feel his gaze on me even through the blindfold."You've just described a woman who is resilient, loyal, and principled.Someone who takes care of the people she loves and stands her ground.That's not baggage to me.That's character."
I swallow hard, emotion closing my throat."You make it sound so noble."
"It is."His lips brush against my forehead."But it's also exhausting to carry alone.You don't have to anymore."
"I've never known how to put it down," I admit.
His hand finds mine, fingers intertwining."That's what this is for, isn't it?What we do here?You give me control so you can rest."
"Yes."
"Then let me help you.Trust me and let me in."His voice is careful, measured."What if I could be that for you outside these walls too?"
My heart races."You mean like...a relationship?"
"A real one," he confirms, his thumb stroking across my knuckles."Not just scenes at the club.Not just stolen moments between classes.Something honest."
His words hang between us, heavy with possibility and terror.I feel exposed in a way that has nothing to do with my nakedness.
"What about school?The ethics violations?Your career?"
"We'll be careful.Discreet.It's only one semester, Skye.We can make it work."
"And if we can't?If someone finds out?"
His grip on my hand tightens."Then we deal with it.Together."
The certainty in his voice makes my chest ache.When was the last time someone offered to share the burden instead of adding to it?
"I'm scared," I whisper.
"I know.So am I."His confession surprises me."I've never wanted someone this much.What scares me more is losing you.Don't make a decision tonight.Just think about it."
I nod against his chest, unable to form words around the emotion lodging in my throat.The blindfold is damp now from tears I didn't realize I was shedding.
"Can I take this off now?"I ask, touching the silk covering my eyes.
His hand covers mine, stilling it."Not yet.Just...let me hold you like this a little longer."
I understand.With the blindfold on, we can pretend this conversation happened between strangers.That these promises were whispered in the dark by people who don't have names or complications.
But I can feel the shift between us, the way something fundamental has changed.
Chapter 23
Gage
She'sbackinmyclass, and it's hell.
Skye sits in the third row, wearing a cardigan over a simple tank top and jeans, like she's trying to tone herself down.But it doesn't work.Not when I can still feel her from the inside out, still taste her skin, and still remember the way she whimpered my name against my neck two nights ago.
