Page 81 of Sweet Addiction
But that might be the only thing I have as words fail me.
The door opens, and I swing my head around and watch Rome walk through it.
Oh shit.
“Lilah, I’ve gotta go,” I whisper and end the call.
I rise on shaky legs and force one foot in front of the other until I’m standing in front of Rome.
DILLAN
I could have every single inch of your body pressed tightly to mine, and I’d still ask you to hold me closer... keep me safer... stay with me tonight.
—Dillan’s Secret Thoughts
Iwalk up to Rome and wrap my arms around his waist as I press my cheek against his chest. “Thank you.”
“Dillan...” He cups the back of my head with his hand and tips my face up to his. “You don’t have to thank me for defending you.” His fierce voice is one step away from the feral bite of a wounded animal. “I will always defend you.”
“Why?” I ask, my own voice betraying the basket case of emotion I’ve become. “Why would you do that after the way I’ve treated you?”
“Because,stellina, we’ve both made mistakes. We’ve both come at this thing between us shrouded in pain and anger. But somehow, we’re still here. We still have a chance. And I’m notgiving that up. Not giving up on us. Not again.” His other hand lifts to my face, gently sliding my hair behind my ear. “I let you push me away once. I chose the easy path. And I was wrong. I won’t do it again. You can try to push, but I’m not going anywhere this time.”
Oh, wow.
“You’re worth it, Dillan. We’re worth it. I see you. I will never stop looking for you and at you. I’ll never stop fighting for you. But you’ve got to let me in. You’ve got to forgive me for what I said to Lucky and trust that I said it because I wasn’t ready to talk about you, not because you didn’t matter. Forgive me for forcing you into this relationship. For blackmailing you. I’m sorry I did it. I’m sorry I took away your choices. But I’m not fucking sorry about where it brought us... because you just walked into my arms like you finally fucking realized it’s where you belong.”
Those words heal the small, shattered pieces of my soul I let break so damn long ago.
Long before that night with Rome.
Pieces I thought I’d never mend.
But I should have known this man would be strong enough to do it for me when I couldn’t.
Only him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t ask you about the phone call that morning with Lucky. I could have saved us both if I had just asked instead of shutting down.” Frustration and embarrassment flood my system as I force myself to take accountability for the actions of a scared woman. “It’s what I do, Rome. It’s what I’ve done for years, and it’s probably what I’ll always do,” I admit, terrified I’m too difficult to be worth this man’s time. That I’ll push him away, and he’ll realize how much easier life would be without me in it.
Rome flexes his jaw as his eyes search mine.
For what—I have no clue.
The truth in my words?
The fear in my heart?
He lifts me from my feet, and my arms wind around him as he dips his mouth to my neck and drags his lips over my racing pulse. “I don’t need easy, Dillan. Easy is boring. And you and me... we’ll never be boring.”
“What if I’m broken?” I whisper, giving terrifying life to my darkest fear.
“You are not broken. You are magnificent.” One hand slides to cup my ass as his fathomless blue eyes devour mine, begging me to let him into every broken corner. “Smart, and kind, and brilliant, and beautiful. There is only one Dillan Ryan, and there’s only one thing I need you to be... “
He lifts his head, and my fingers curl into the hair at the nape of his neck. My heart races, and my breath comes in short pants as this thing between us threatens to finally combust. “What?”
“Mine,” he growls, and his mouth ghosts over mine as I lean in, taking more.
Needing everything.
