"I feel too much.That's the problem."
"Not a problem, Angel.That's the point."
He's leaning closer now, close enough that I can feel his breath against my lips.Close enough that all I'd have to do is tilt my head up and we'd be kissing again, crossing that line I've been trying so hard to maintain.
"Tell me to stop," he murmurs.
"I can't."
"Tell me you don't want this."
"I can't do that either."
His hand slides into my hair, angling my head the way he wants it, and I'm lost.Completely, utterly lost in the heat of his gaze and the promise of his mouth and the way my body comes alive under his touch.
"Then let me?—"
"Aunt Evie!"Jake's voice from the back door shatters the moment like glass."Emma won't let me have a turn on the swing!"
We spring apart like we've been electrocuted, both of us breathing hard, both of us staring at each other with wide eyes and racing hearts.
"Coming," I call, my voice only slightly unsteady."Give me a second."
Jake disappears back outside, and I'm left standing in my kitchen with my hair mussed and my lips tingling and the man who's been driving me crazy for days looking at me like he wants to devour me whole.
"This has to stop," I say weakly.
"Does it?"
"Yes.The kids need stability, not chaos."
"They need you to be happy."
"I don't know how to be happy and responsible at the same time."
"Then let me show you."
The offer is quiet, serious, loaded with everything he's not saying.Let me show you what it's like to be loved.Let me show you what it's like to have a partner instead of just someone you're performing for.Let me show you that you can have both.
"I need time," I say finally."Time to figure out what's best for everyone."
"Take all the time you need.I'm not going anywhere."
The same promise he's made before, and it settles something anxious in my chest even as it makes everything else more complicated.
"I should go deal with the swing situation."
"And I should fix that fence."
We're being so polite, so careful, like we didn't just almost kiss again, like my body isn't still humming with want, like I can't see the same hunger in his eyes that's probably visible in mine.
"Hades?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you.For still being here, even when I'm being difficult."
"You're not being difficult.You're being careful.There's a difference."
