Page 64 of A Dangerous Kind of Love

“I’m not doing this.” I stand up. “You can get your stuff and go.”

He doesn’t move. He keeps drinking his coffee, his eyes tracking me as I pace back and forth.

“Seriously. Get the fuck out.”

“Katie,” he says.

I shake my head. “No. I’m not doing this. I will not let a man control my life.”

“Katie.”

“What?” I snap.

“I’m not trying to control you.”

“Really?” I cut in.

“I’m trying to keep you safe.”

I laugh. “That sounds a lot like you’re gaslighting me.”

He gets up.

“No,” I say, holding up a hand. “You stay over there.”

Because if he gets any closer, I will absolutely fucking fold, and I hate that he knows it.

“You don’t listen very well,” I say as he steps right into my space anyway.

I tilt my head back to look at him.

“Please let me do this.” His voice is low. “I’m going to be hours away, and I can’t stand the idea of you leaving alone.”

“Sarah works the same shift as I do tonight.”

His hand comes up, firm against my jaw, guiding my face slightly. “Then Luca will drive both of you.”

“Michael.” I look away. “I don’t know.”

“Please.”

Do I just want him to beg? Is that what this is?

I exhale. He’s not trying to lock me up. He just wants me to get to and from work safely.

“Will you be back tomorrow afternoon?”

His eyes narrow. “Yes.”

“Will you go with me to Britten Valley to see my mom?”

He smiles a little. “Of course.”

“And then you’ll stay here with me?”

“Yes, Katie. I will do all of that.”

I press my hands against his chest. “Okay.”