“No. Absolutely not.”
“Why not?”
“It’s dangerous.”
“So is eating nightmares and I did that.”
“That was different.”
“How?”
His jaw clenches. “I could control that. I could…save you if something went wrong.”
“But nothing did go wrong.”
He drags his gaze from the windshield and says very slowly, “I won’t be the reason you get hurt. I don’t think…”
Eryx’s grip on the steering wheel tightens.
“You don’t think what?”
He shakes his head and looks like if he says anything more, it’ll break him.
It might break me if he says less. “I’m strong,” I remind him.
“It’s not about strength. I’m not going to bend on this, Chelsea.” Eryx shakes his head. “I’ve made up my mind.”
“You’re being selfish.”
He stares at me in disbelief. “Selfish? By trying to keep you safe?”
“Yes. What if something happens to you? What am I supposed to do? Hang out in your sad, gray manor for the rest of my life?”
“I said you could add color.”
“That’s not the point.”
I start to open my door, and quick as lightning, he reaches over and grabs it. “I will do that for you.”
“What if I don’t let you?”
His jaw tenses. “There are few things I want, and that’s one of them.”
To open my car door? I kinda feel like a brat denying him this, but I’m still mad.
So I nod.
Without another word he exits the vehicle. As he crosses in front of the hood, I glare at him and he shoots me a warning look so imposing I don’t even consider defying him.
But as soon as my door’s open, I get out and lay into him. “I want to do this.”
“I won’t discuss it anymore. I’ve made up my mind.” His gaze drops to the dish on my lap. “May I take the casserole?”
“No you may not.”
I walk quickly up the steps. Eryx stays by my side the whole time.
I want him to touch me, and as I think it he lifts his hand like he’s going to take my arm but then drops it back to his side.
