"You're not a burden," I say with each thrust. "You're not a distraction. You're not holding me back."
"Declan."
"Say it. Tell me you know that."
Her breath hitches. "I'm trying to believe it."
"Try harder." I change the angle, hitting that spot that makes her cry out. "Because I need you. Not in spite of everything that's happened, but because of who you are."
She's close. I can feel her tensing around me.
She cries out my name as the orgasm crashes through her. The sensation pushes me over the edge, and I follow, groaning into her neck as I find my release.
We stay like that for a long moment, both breathing hard, hearts pounding against each other.
"Don't leave me," I whisper. "Please don't leave me."
"I won't." Her arms tighten around me. "I promise I won't."
But even as she says it, I can feel the tension in her body and the doubt that hasn't quite disappeared.
We eventually move to my bedroom, clean up, and get under the covers.
She curls against my side, her head on my chest.
"I'm calling my father tomorrow," I say into the darkness. "Telling him to stay away from you."
"He's just trying to protect you."
"He's trying to control me. There's a difference."
“I don’t want to add any more stress to your already full plate.”
"Sutton." I tilt her chin up so she's looking at me. "I don't have all the answers. I’m still determining how we'll navigate my career, the distance, and other factors. But I know I want to try. With you."
She nods, but I can see the doubt still lingering in her eyes.
I lie awake long after her breathing evens out into sleep.
Because I felt it. That moment of hesitation. That flicker of doubt.
She's still considering it. Maybe not consciously. Maybe not admitting it to herself.
But the seed is planted.
I don't know how to compete with one hundred thousand dollars and a dream job. I’m not sure I want to have to compete.
She has to choose to stay for me and me alone.
Chapter Three
SUTTON
Iwake up to Declan's alarm and the realization that I barely slept.
He's already sitting on the edge of the bed, head in his hands. I know without asking that he didn't sleep either. The confrontation with his father is happening today.
"You don't have to do this," I whisper, reaching for him.
