had to do. I was making sure that you were protected. Maybe you don’t like it, but that’s what I was doing.”
“What’s it going to take for you to see that I only want you?” she asked. “You know, when we were in high school, I didn’t need to be sent away. I would have stayed in town if you were with me.”
“And what would that have gotten us? The whole town gossiping about us, and neither of us going off to school? What would that have helped?”
“I wouldn’t have been alone,” she whispered. “I want you, all of you. I don’t want to be constantly wondering how this is going to work.”
“It’ll work because we’re older and smarter now. I’m not running from my responsibilities or you. I want to build a life with you. I need you to trust that, but I have a feeling that you’re still looking at me like the kid that broke your heart and your trust.”
She glanced away and sighed. “Maybe. I don’t want to, but it’s hard to forget.”
“You keep telling me that you’re over what happened. If you’re not, you need to tell me right now, because we can’t move forward if you’re constantly thinking about what happened thirteen years ago.”
“I don’t constantly think about it.”
“No, but when something goes wrong, that’s the first thing you think of.” She didn’t say anything. I gently took her chin and forced her to look at me. “Tell me the truth. You’re either all in or you’re out. We can’t make this work if you keep thinking I’m going to hurt you again.”
Her eyes filled with tears and she blinked them away, trying her best to hide from me. I hated that she was doing that.
“Hey, don’t do that. Don’t think you have to be this tough girl so you don’t get hurt. I promise you, I will never hurt you like that again.”
“I want to believe you,” she said, her voice cracking.
“Then choose me,” I pleaded. “Choose who I am now and not who I was as a kid. I know it all started then, and you fell in love with that kid. He’s still part of me, just smarter. I know who I am now and I know exactly what’s at stake. I’m yours. Tell me you’re still mine.”
She laughed lightly as tears slipped from her eyes, trailing down her cheeks. “You always were a little sappy.”
“Only for you. All those dreams we talked about, they all included you and only you. I’ve wanted you my whole life. I won’t mess it up again. I won’t do anything to risk losing you. You’re the love of my life. Say you’re mine.”
She nodded, smiling wide. “Of course, I’m yours. I’ve always been yours.”
Anna
His lips slid across mine, his hand slipping through my hair, pulling me closer. I loved everything about this man, from his huge heart to the way he commanded his place at work. His heart was the same as it was when we were kids, but he was a stronger person than he was back then. He had the ability to draw me in with just his looks, but it was his touch that had me melting. And when he whispered in my ear that he loved me and he would never leave me, I knew I needed him in my life.
“I love you,” I whispered. “I’m yours.”
He pulled back, looking me in the eyes for the truth. He smiled and ran his thumb across my cheek, that sexy smile tilting his lips. “There she is.”
“Who?”
“The girl under the stars. I knew she was still in there.”
“She’s always been there. I was just scared to let her out.”
“Don’t be afraid anymore. I’m not going anywhere.”
I wanted him so much, but in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but replay Eric’s words. If you don’t think there’s a way to make this work, walk away. I shoved those words away and kissed Robert with everything I had. After everything that had happened, I needed him. He had proven to me over and over again that he loved me, that he wanted to be with me. All of those worries fled my mind, and then it was just him and me, our bodies tangling in the sheets as he made love to me.
Sweat mingled with desire as our bodies slid across each others. I couldn’t think of anything but his touch and how badly I needed him. With every thrust, I