“I need a little time,” she murmured.
He shook his head almost frantically as he felt panic build inside him.“You’re not going anywhere.I’ll try to give you space, but I’ll just follow you if you try to leave.I meant what I said about doing anything to keep you.You know I love you so fucking much, and you’re a part of my soul, baby.I won’t be able to deal with it.”
“Blake,” she burst out.“Let me finish.”
He exhaled.“Okay.”
“I was going to tell you I need a little time to go and shower, and if I have any more questions, we’ll discuss them.I don’t want this to come between us, either.I promise.”
The swell of emotions that hit him made his eyes sting.He picked her up, put her across his lap, and hugged her tightly against his chest.He kissed the top of her head several times.
“Thank you.I hate that you are always the one who has to forgive me.”
She tilted her head back.“Forgive you?”she asked, confused.
“About high school and now this.”
She caressed his cheek with her fingertips.“I don’t want us to ever talk about high school again.For one thing, it’s in the past, and for another, it shaped me into the person I am today.Yes, I’ve overcome a lot.But I’m strong because of the things I’ve had to deal with, like my sister and her hatred, and my mom dying.The abuse and bullying I went through growing up.Besides, we can’t change it.”
God, he hated hearing his part in her difficult life.
He smoothed the hair from her face and smiled down at her.“How’d you get so fucking smart?”
She shrugged.“I’ve always been smart.You’re just getting to know me and vice versa.”
“I want to know everything about you.”
“That will take time,” she said.
He nodded.“Yes, and that we have plenty of.”
“Yes.”
He cupped her chin, pressed a soft kiss to her mouth, and then helped her off his lap.
“You go on and shower, and I’ll put dinner in the oven.”
“All right.I won’t be long.”
“Take your time, honey.”
Blake listened to her climb the stairs.He exhaled, rested his head back, and closed his eyes.Jesus.He had to stop hurting the most important person in his life.
The sting was back in his eyes, making him press his fingers against them to hold back the tears.
If he just showed her how much he really loved her and worshipped the ground she walked on, she would never want to leave him.It was a pledge he made to himself at that moment and one he knew he’d never forget.
