Page 13 of Make Me Yours
It’s almost comical the way his eyes widen. Any moment now, they’re going to fall out and roll around on the floor.
He drags me closer before dropping a kiss on the crown of my head. “I’m so sorry, Lilah. You didn’t deserve that. Any of it. I know how much you cared about him.”
As soon as the words leave his lips, I realize how wrong they are. It’s true, I did care about Devon, but there’d been a lot of cracks in our relationship I hadn’t wanted to share.
“Thanks. I’m sure that was painful for you to say.”
He snorts as a slight smile lifts his lips. “We both know he was never good enough for you. I’ve been telling you that from day one.”
“True. But you say that about every guy I introduce you to.”
“And I stand one hundred percent behind every single instance. None of them have ever been good enough.” There’s a pause. “So, what happens now? I mean, you’re not going to continue working for him, are you?”
I can almost see the way Steele is gearing up for a fight.
“Nope, I quit.”
“Thank fuck. There was no damn way I was going to let you go back.”
“It would probably be more accurate to say Devon asked that I not return.”
“That spineless son of a bitch,” he growls.
“Pretty much.”
“So, where are you going to stay?”
Emotion wells inside me as I shake my head. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so lost or alone in my life. “I don’t know. Ihaven’t gotten that far yet. I’m sure I could stay with Rina or maybe Ev?—”
“No way. You’ll stay with me,” he says, cutting me off. “End of discussion.”
I shake my head, already protesting, ready to tell him that I’ll figure it out on my own. He doesn’t need to swoop in and save me.
“No arguing, lucky charm.” His voice is steady and unwavering. “It’s already a done deal.”
His nickname for me hits me in the feels.
It’s the exact balm I need after the past couple hours.
With a tilt of my chin, I search his eyes. “I don’t want to get in your way.”
He snorts. “Give me a break. My place is huge. You said so yourself when you helped pick it out. It’s the perfect spot for you to sort through everything.”
There’s not a shred of doubt in his expression.
I swallow hard as my stomach twists. My emotions are stretched so tight, I don’t know what to do with them anymore.
Even though I should tell him no, my resistance is already crumbling. “Are you sure? I don’t know how long it’ll take for me to find another job or a place to live.”
“There’s no pressure. Take as long as you need.” He reaches for my hand and laces our fingers together before tugging me in just enough to let me know this isn’t an offer.
It’s a decision.
One that’s already been made.
I hate to admit just how comforting it is to know that, no matter what happens in life, Steele will always be my soft place to land.
4
