Over the past few weeks, I’ve learned so much about him. He spoke of his childhood, and when he did, he might not have realized, but I was pulled even closer to him. How can my heart belong so fully to a man who has made it clear that we are no more than what we are?
Limerence.
I sigh softly, closing my eyes and fighting for control of my emotions.
Don’t be silly, Georgie. Don’t let yourself get hurt.
He flirts, he talks, he treats me exactly how I would want to be treated…but to him, this is temporary. And when it ends, it will destroy you if you let it.
But there is so much more to him than just the flirty comments and his merciless Bratva side. There are so many layers to his heart that I am only just learning.
I bite my lip, hard, using the pain to help myself focus.
Get up. Clear your head. This isn’t what you want it to be. Don’t get hurt.
Moving more carefully than before, I untangle myself from him without waking him up and slip off the side of the bed in silence. I grab one of the blankets that fell off the bed in last night’s passionate game.
A game. Nothing more.
But as I wrap the blanket around my body and stare down at him, I can’t help but smile. Even if it was only a game of sorts to him, I will never regret this. I’ve always wanted him to be the one. My first. It will always mean something to me, no matter where life takes me.
The heaviness in my heart is because I know no one will ever live up to him. And most likely, I’ll never experience something so beautiful again, and I’ll always be yearning for him.
How silly of me to fall in love with a man I can never have.
But after last night, I can’t deny it anymore. I can’t pretend or convince myself otherwise. I am in love. And this will break me when it ends.
I was never even in control.
With a soft sigh, I turn away from the bed and tiptoe out of the room, into the hall, down the stairs, heading towards the kitchen for some tea.
The blanket trails behind me as I clutch it around my body.
I turn the corner into the kitchen, still lost in thought about him and last night, and walk straight into Jess.
She squeals in fright, then starts giggling, then abruptly stops when she notices I’m wearing nothing but a blanket.
I’m frozen in shock, not knowing what to say, completely caught off guard.
“Georgie, what are you…” Her eyes trace over me, and self-consciously, I pull the blanket tighter, wishing I could meltinto the floor. She scrunches her nose, a small smile creeping onto her face. “Where’s Kris?” she asks. And it’s obvious she’s worked it out.
I open my mouth, wanting to make some excuse, some kind of explanation, but I can’t lie to her.
Behind us, Kristopher’s footsteps echo towards the kitchen, and Jess’s smile grows wider as she folds her arms across her chest and tilts her head to the side, waiting.
I bite my lip, awkward and unsure.
Kris walks into the kitchen wearing only sweatpants.
He wraps his arm around my waist, kisses my cheek and says, “Breakfast with my sister and my wife. What a perfect morning.”
My jaw drops open, mimicking Jess’s expression.
“Wife?” she blurts out.
My eyes dart between her and Kristopher. He’s got this smug look on his face, pride mixed with amusement. “I’ll put the kettle on,” he says, as casual as ever. As he passes Jess, he pulls her into a one-armed hug. “You aren’t supposed to be in Phoenix,” he says, warning, but not angry. “But it’s really good to see you. Coffee or tea?” he asks.
“Doesn’t anyone wear clothes around here?” Jess says, the smile returning to her face.
