Page 192 of The Invite
“I’m okay now,” I tell him honestly. “You make me feel safe.”
“Fuck, I was only fooling myself thinking I can ever walk away from you or get you out of my system,” he groans in anguish.
Irrational hurt passes through me that he saw us having an end date too. It shouldn’t sting so much when I was planning to do the same, though I just didn’t know when. I didn’t realize until now how deep my feelings were running for him.
However, my disappointment lasts for a lingering second because he says, “I was wrong. I’m keeping you by my side, even when all this bullshit with Anonymous is over. No matter what it takes.”
A part of me wants to jump up in elation at his declaration, but when you’ve been burned too many times in the past, a happily ever after sounds too good to be true.
“What changed your mind?” I ask in a small voice.
“Because for those seconds when I thought I lost you, even forever felt too short. I want to bind you to me for eternity and beyond, little prey. In every lifetime, it’syouI want to chase.”
Tears prickle my eyes as his promise washes over me. The strength behind his statement boosting my chest with confidence and hope. Nevertheless, other obstacles stand in our way and hold me back.
“I’m your teacher.”
He flips me onto my back and wedges his hips between my thighs. “Is that your only reservation?”
“The biggest one.”
“We can remedy that,” he murmurs, raising my arms over my head. I squirm when he nuzzles my neck. The playfulness is a welcoming distraction from the residual effects of the nightmare and the heavy talk. “I’ll get you fired.”
“Augustus!” I chastise. “Why are all your solutions so unhinged?”
He chuckles and tilts his face to meet my gaze. “Or you can quit.”
“I happen to like teaching.”
“Did you work in the same field before moving here?”
I glance away sheepishly, and admit, “This is my first job.”
“Ever?”
Uneasiness builds. “As a full-time job? Yes.”
“So, you’ve barely taught for a week and you like it?” He arches one brow in disbelief.
“I might switch the subject in the future, but yes, I’m enjoying being a teacher. I think it’s fun and I can be good at it.”
Peering at me softly, he nods. “Fine. We wait until I graduate and you’re no longer my teacher to make you mine in front of the world.”
I don’t agree immediately and curiously ask, “Doesn’t it bother you that I’m older than you?”
“Hardly.” A small smirk graces his lips. “Age is just a number, little prey. I sure as fuck find it hot that you’re older than me.”
“There’s no swaying you, is there?”
The air crackles with lethal intensity as his expression turns possessive. So is his grip when he wraps one hand around my throat. “Just answer me this. Do you want to be with me?”
“Yes.” If there’s one thing that I’m sure of in all of the chaos and danger, it’s being his. Augustus has become a constant fixture that anchors me. An immovable mountain that shields me from anyone daring to hurt me.
“Then forget all your doubts and fears.” Pressing his thumb on my pounding pulse, he darkly vows, “I didn’t let anything stand in my way to you when we first met and I’m not going to let it start now.”
The tears I was keeping at bay fall freely now. I can’t contain the utter happiness of belonging to someone, who makes me their entire world. It’s a mixture of pure relief, hope, and contentment.
“Honey, don’t cry,” he murmurs, brushing the wetness from my cheeks, but the dam has burst and it can’t be contained. “Shh… Come here.”
