Page 205 of The One
“I am,dolcezza.And I’ve never been more certain about anything.”
He cups my face, his thumb grazing my cheek.
“You are it for me. My love, my life. My past, my present, my future, it’s all tied up with you. I can’t think of a better day than this to affirm life, hope, and our dreams.”
A lone tear runs down my cheek, and his gaze follows it before he brushes it away. Slowly, he pulls me closer, his breath mingling with mine.
“You’re mine,” he whispers against my lips.
I shudder, and for a second, I believe him.Believe in us. In a future that isn’t doomed.
But the illusion shatters almost as quickly as it forms.
“Mari, will you marry me?”
I stare at him. He’s so sincere, socertain, and my heart breaks all over again.
“I want to marry you. More than anything in this world.” My voice wobbles, thick with emotion. “I love you so much. Always have, always will. But not tonight.Not on the most tragic day of your life.”
His expression falters.
“But I do want us to make love,” I press again.
God, justoncein my life, I need to be selfish. Just once, I need tohave him.
“Teo, we don’t have to wait until we’re married. I want this. Now. I want my first time to be with you.”
“And it will be.”
But he doesn’t move, doesn’t reach for me the way I desperately wish he would. Instead, he studies me. Reallylooksat me.
And I know what he sees. My swollen eyes, the strain on my face, the way I can barely hold myself together.
His brow furrows. “Mari, what’s going on?”
I force a trembling smile, but it crumbles too fast.
“I want you to make love to me while you still look at me the way you do. Like I’m everything. Like I’myours.”
His grip tightens, his gaze fierce. “Mari, that will never change. I love you.”
But I see it in his eyes. Concern. Suspicion.
His fingers brush my cheek, his voice softer now. “What’s brought this on? These insecurities? This isn’t like you.”
Tears burn my eyes. I open my mouth, but I can’t say it.
Because the moment I do, I’ll lose him forever.
Now or never,my conscience urges.
My heart squeezes in pain. My throat closes over as if a noose is suffocating me. And really, it is.
What I’m about to tell him will kill everything good between Teo and me. Nothing will ever be the same again.
The bright future he and I dreamed of is going to die.
I can’t bear it.
