“You wish,” he grumbles and hangs up. Asshole.
After everything, I think Enzo and I will be okay. It could have gone worse.
When I look up, Dahlia leans against the door frame. “I can’t sleep without you.”
“I can’t fucking breathe without you,” I confess and dart to her. “I love you, beat of my heart.”
“I love you until the last star fades away and the sky turns dark.”
I kiss her senseless.
Fuck her as if my life depends on it.
It does, because ours are inextricably linked.
35
DAHLIA
Fears are only in our heads. Whatever thought you plant, it grows. You’d better water positive seeds; otherwise, poisonous weeds will take over, rooting themselves in your brain.
Nurture the good thoughts or remain a prisoner to the bad ones. They will trap you in a cycle of destructive patterns.
I choose to live a life full of wonder, of love, of going after what I dream of—unapologetically, wildly, freely.
From my side of the bed, I watch the biggest amazement of my life—my mountain of a man.
I am about to roll out of bed to let him sleep longer when he snatches me back by my waist and pulls me to his chest.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asks in his deep voice, groggy with sleep.
I giggle, so utterly besotted with him. I think he can do no wrong in my eyes.
“Selflessly, I wanted to let you sleep some more.”
“Is that so?”
I nod, his spellbinding eyes throwing an impenetrable net around my being, capturing me forever.
A groan rumbles in his throat, deep with raw need. “Did I give you permission to leave my bed?”
“I didn’t know I needed it,” I sass.
He buries his face in my neck, nibbling along my sensitive skin. “Now you know.”
I thread my hand through his hair, loving this sweet moment. The gesture holds nothing sexual—it’s just intimacy mixed with comfort. It’s just as precious, just as soul-nourishing to me as our lovemaking.
I sigh dreamily, not believing how a few days can alter the course of your life. I’ve wished for years for this dream to become reality. Now that it happened, I am overcome with wonder, with a gratitude so big it fills me up.
“You’re mine now, Dahlia. Just mine. Forever mine.”
“You promise?” I ask, potent emotions overwhelming me.
A smirk pulls at the corners of his mouth as he wraps his arms around me. “I vow.”
Locking my arms around his neck, we remain in an embrace for long minutes, kissing leisurely.
“I wanted to wait, but fuck if I can any longer.”
