Page 68 of Don't Leave Me

“I’ve closed myself off for so long. You’ve taken me by surprise, Hana, in so many ways,” he continued, now standing directly in front of me, his face only inches from mine; I could feel all sorts of tingles rush through my body.

“The truth is,” he started again, putting one hand on my cheek lightly and the other on my waist, “I love you. I love you so much, Hana…more than I ever thought was possible,” he breathed, his eyes intent and wide, my heart literally going crazy –oh my god, oh my fucking god. I bit down on my lip, immediately tearing up and smiling simultaneously.

“You do?”

I was almost convinced I had just hallucinated.

He nodded slowly and smiled.

“I don’t know, Michael…it’s a little too soon, don’t you think?” I asked sarcastically, my mood drastically improved – I mean, why wouldn’t it? This beautiful man in front of me, whom I was in love with, just declared his love back for me.

Michael immediately laughed a genuine, hearty laugh as he looked at me with admiration. I don’t think I’d ever seen him so happy.

“I love you too, Michael. So, so much,” I smiled, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.

He smiled sweetly down at me, putting both of his hands to my cheeks now, and leaned in and gave me the most passionate, loving kiss he’d ever given me.

16

Chapter 16

Michael and I made love – like actual, passionate, sensual love making, our bodies moving together in a rhythm that only we knew. He stared into my eyes, kissed me, and we completely lost ourselves in each other. There was no rope, or whips, or spanking…just me and Michael using our hands and lips and hips to please each other.

I wanted time to freeze as Michael held me in his arms afterwards; I couldn’t think of a time when I was as genuinely content and happy as I was right at that moment. He played with my hair, twirling a strand between his fingers as I nuzzled my face into his chest, taking in his scent and warmth.I love him…I love him so much. And he loves me. How is this even possible?

“Did you do anything with Jack?” Michael asked out of the blue as we quietly laid in my bed.

I furrowed my brows up at him.I can’t tell him the truth, it’ll just ruin everything. He doesn’t need to know…it’s not gonna happen ever again.

“No,” I lied, my heart stinging. I knew I was being selfish - but I would’ve done whatever it took to keep him.

He sighed and seemed relieved.

“My imagination tends to run wild. I was livid when I saw him,” he shook his head, looking up at the ceiling.

“I noticed,” I said lightly, raising my eyebrows.

He looked down at me with a frown.

“I’m sorry. You don’t have to worry about Jack,” I said earnestly.

Michael was quiet as he gazed at me, seemingly in deep thought. He sighed again.

“It’s not too much to ask that you don’t see him anymore, is it?” He sounded unsure of himself.

He’s asking me now, not telling me. This was a bit of an improvement.

“No. I understand,” I nodded; Ididunderstand – if the situation were reversed, I’d ask the same thing from him.

Michael grinned and held me tighter.

“I don’t want to lose you ever again. If we have a problem, we need to talk about it, and we’ll fix it,” he assured me.

My heart melted at his words:I don’t want to lose you ever again. Just marry me already, Michael Barnes.

“Deal,” I nodded, putting my hand to his cheek and pinching it a little.

He laughed and gave me a kiss on the cheek, then scooted down a little bit to level his face with mine.

---