Page 44 of Taking Denver

“As if I could ever forget you, Big Dick.”

The elevator doors open to the rooftop restaurant, glowing with candlelight and lanterns. But it’s empty, with only the stars for company.

“Where is everyone?” I ask.

Ethan laces his fingers through mine. “It’s just us.”

I gape at him as he gently tugs me to a table for two and pulls out my chair. My stomach bursts with butterflies as I sit. “You did this? How?”

“I’m very convincing.” He winks as he sits across from me. “We also only have twenty minutes, so order fast.”

I laugh, and he grins, his handsome face lit up by candlelight.

From a potential scrap in the gym to this. The day I met Ethan, I’d have been satisfied with my fist in his jaw, and now I can’t imagine waking up tomorrow without him next to me.

Fuck, how have I let this happen? How has he settled himself so deeply in my life that removing him feels as simple as removing my heart?

I stare at the menu, and tears blur my eyes, but before they fall, Ethan’s hand covers mine.

When I meet his gaze, his eyes shine, too. This is a goodbye. A beautiful one, but still a goodbye, and I hate it. I have no cluewhat Ethan and I could be, if anything, but I’m being robbed of the opportunity to find out.

He squeezes my hand. “Let’s treat it like any other night.”

I nod, forcing a smile, and when he kisses my knuckles, I savor the feeling, the moment, and our last night together.

Chapter 17

Denver

Isqueeze Ethan’s hand after he laces our fingers together. His other hand is wrapped around the handle of my suitcase, the conversation of other passengers muffled beneath the sound of my heart.

Ethan kisses my temple. “Ready?”

No, I’m not, but I nod anyway. Tightening my grip on Wesson’s leash, we head inside.

“Ms. Luxe,” a voice cuts through the bustle of the airport. A suited man approaches with quick strides, his attention on me. “Mr. Luxe thought you’d be more comfortable taking the jet home.” Of course he did. That way, Ranger will know every move I make. He’ll know my drink order, if I eat, sleep, or cry. I’m not home yet, but he’s already closing his grip on me. The suited man holds his hand out to Ethan. “Bags, please.” Ethan’s jaw tenses, but he hands over my suitcase.

“Passport,” the man adds.

Ethan frowns. “She doesn’t have to give you her damn passport?—”

“It’s fine,” I say, taking it out and handing it over. “I’ll be with you in a minute.”

The suited man nods and moves away. I release Ethan’s hand to play with my necklace, dragging the pendant across the chain.

Ethan pulls me close. “Listen, I don’t want to add any more pressure to this fucked up situation, so I’ll just say this.” He brushes my hair back. “I want to be with you.”

My face tingles, tears welling behind my eyes. I place my palms flat on his chest. “Ethan?—”

“Please… let me finish,” he says, focusing on my necklace and taking a deep breath. “I want you. No matter what comes with that, I want you. But… I also know it isn’t that simple and might never be. So, I need you to know I’m here. I’ll wait for you. We’ll figure something out, even if it’s just pieces of you.”

A tear slips down my cheek. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

He wipes the tear away, his knuckles soft against my skin. “You’re not asking me. I’m telling you. I can’t let you go, so I’m here whenever you need me, want me… I’m not going anywhere.” Fishing a small piece of paper out of his pocket, he pushes it into my hand and closes my fingers over it. “He’ll probably check your phone, so keep this. It’s my number and my address for home and work. If you need me, come to me. No matter what it is.” Before I can object, he kisses me, and instead of being smart and pulling away, I lean into him. I mold myself into his body, my arms around his neck, and let myself enjoy these final moments because I can’t use him. I can’t take fragments of him, no matter how much I’ll need them.

The kiss ends, and my face is damp with tears, my body trembling. I cling to his t-shirt and curse my life. I curse my dad for being the man he was and Ranger for loving me.

Ethan cups my face. “I hate you.”

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