Her eyes narrow.
“I wonder if they measure the exact same like my arch-nemeses do.”
I groan. “You are not measuring Maverick and his brother’s dicks, Abigail.”
She blinks up at me innocently.
“Arch-nemeses?” I repeat, unable to stop the smirk from forming.
“Twin One and Twin Two,” she says. “I’m still not convinced they’re human.”
I huff a quiet laugh and brush a strand of hair off her face.
“Just stay inside,” I murmur. “No interrogating Italian twins. No scientific research. No starting wars.”
She smiles.
“I make no promises.”
I lean down, letting my forehead rest against hers for a second.
“You’re gonna be the death of me.”
And the terrifying part?
I wouldn’t even mind.
I turn to leave, but stop when her soft hand grips my wrist.
I look back at her and wait. She swallows hard, working through whatever storm is brewing inside her.
“I’m afraid,” she says.
That makes me turn fully toward her.
“There’s no need to be,” I answer automatically. “Maverick would never hurt you. And I’ll kill his brother if he tries.”
“It’s not that,” she whispers.
“Then what are you afraid of, Abigail?”
Her eyes lift to mine, vulnerable in a way that knocks the air from my lungs.
“You,” she says.
I go still.
“Not in that way,” she rushes to clarify. “But I’m afraid of what will happen if I give in to my heart. I’m afraid of what will happen if I let you love me back.”
Fuck, I hurt her so fucking deep.
“You don’t have to let me love you back, babygirl,” I say quietly. “I already do. I love you so damn much it scares me. Scared me enough to make excuses. To push you away. To ruin years we could have had together.”
My jaw tightens.
“That’s on me. And I’ll spend the rest of my life making that up to you. It still won’t be enough…not for what you deserve…but I’ll try every damn day.”
She’s crying now. Silent tears slide down her pale cheeks.
