“A couple of days ago I talked to my brothers about your situation.”
“They didn’t know?”
Specter shakes his head. “Just Wraith. I thought I’d handle it, but it’s taking too long so I wanted to get their opinions.”
Taking too long. Right. This is a temporary situation. Once my stalker is dealt with, there’s no reason for me to stay here.
“Hey.” Specter turns my chin to face him. “What did I say wrong?”
“Nothing. Go on.”
“You’re a terrible liar, baby. I saw the clouds move in. What happened?”
“Really, it’s nothing. I just remembered this isn’t where I live.”
Specter’s brow creases and he tilts his head slightly, looking at me like I turned green. “Uh, I’m not sure where you got that from, but it definitely is.”
“It’s not though. I have an apartment and this situation is temporary, until it’s safe for me to go home.”
“Who told you that?” He taps his finger to my temple. “Or did you just make it up?”
“I didn’t make it up, Specter. That was the deal.”
“Funny, I think I’ve been very clear about keeping you.” His breath fans across my face. “Is that what you want?”
“Can we go back to the part where you tell me the plan?”
“No. You can answer my question though.”
“What difference does it make?”
“Uh, all of it. What you want is the only thing that matters to me.”
How do I argue with that? I want to. Fuck, I want to. That defiant streak of independence pokes at me to assert myself, to put the walls up and insist I can take care of myself, but fuck me, I’m so fucking tired of taking care of myself.
“Colson,” he says. I gasp, my eyes meeting his. “Talk to me.”
That was it. The last shred of protection I had left. I’m all in now, and that means he can destroy me. I was never gonna walk away from this unscathed. I knew that. I might as well enjoy the fall.
“I want to stay.” My own words shock me, and I hold my breath waiting for Specter’s reaction.
“Good, because I wasn’t planning on letting you leave.”
My racing heart calms hearing his words. “You want to keep me?”
He nods, holding my gaze. “I thought that was clear, but if you still don’t feel safe and wanted, I have more work to do.”
“It isn’t you,” I whisper. “It’s….” I blow out a breath. “All this stuff that lives inside me. I don’t know how to make it go away.”
“You’re doing it, baby. Every single day, you’re shedding more of it and letting me in. You’re so fucking brave. I’m in awe of you.”
I don’t know what to say so I lean in and kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”
He studies me for a moment before saying, “Je t'adore, mon petit hérisson.”
My eyes go wide. “How… did you…” I huff a laugh, too stunned to speak properly.
“I’ve been practicing a few things. Just stuff I want to say to you.”
