I need it.
It’s a desperate need.
“I’d like to make love with you, Erin. Tonight.
All night. And for all the nights after that.”
Her lip starts shaking again.
“If you’re not ready, I’ll wait. Take all the time
you need. I’m not in a hurry, and I’m not going
anywhere. I’ll be here until you’ve had enough of
me.” I reassure her, smiling.
“Do you really want to make love to me?” she
asks me in a broken voice.
“Holy God, do I want to!”
“Even—”
“Even what?”
“Even in my … condition?”
I lower my gaze just a bit.
She thinks I don’t want to be with her because
she’s pregnant? Doesn’t she have any idea what
I’m going through right now just holding her close
to me?
“God, Erin … I want you so bad it’s hard for me
to even breathe. I’m not talking about sex. I’m
talking aboutyou.I want all of you. I’m afraid. I’m
paralyzed with fear. Fear that I could hurt you. It
feels like I might destroy everything.”
She smiles at me and brings her mouth close to
mine. “I want you too, Patrick. I want your absurd
messes, your jokes and your colorful language. I
want your hands on my body and I wantyouin my
life.” She takes a quick pause and a deep breath.
