Page 54 of Toxic

"I don't want it to make things worse."

"I'll be careful. I promise."

The uncertainty in her expression lessens but doesn't entirely disappear.

I cup her cheek, stroking her jawline with my thumb. "I got your back, Bridge. You can trust me. I don't know why you did what you did, but I know you. You wouldn't have done this without your reasons. If the rest of the world wants to judge you and not give you the benefit of the doubt, that's on them. I'll always have your back."

Tears fall down her cheeks, and her lips tremble. "Why? I'm not the same person I used to be, Dante. You don't know me anymore."

I swipe at her tears and move closer to her face. "Your heart hasn't changed, dolcezza. Whatever happened that you're scared about, it doesn't alter the person you are. Nothing you say will make me believe that."

She stays quiet, as if still struggling to trust I'm not making false claims.

I give her a chaste kiss, sit back, then pick up a piece of bruschetta and hold it to her lips. "Eat. Forget about life for a few moments."

She releases a stress-filled breath then takes a bite. I watch her chew then pop the rest into my mouth. I push her drink closer to her, and she takes a sip, swallows, and confesses, "I appreciate you talking to the kids, but I don't think anyone can help the situation."

"We won't know unless I try, right? Besides, I already have it in my head, so you know I'm going to do it regardless."

Her lips twitch. "And you've returned to your arrogance."

"You used to like my arrogance."

Her face falls. "That was a long time ago. Neither of us are those kids anymore."

"Thank God for that. I'll make sure I don't fuck it up this time."

She tilts her head. "I'm not looking to get involved with anyone, Dante. My kids are the only thing that matter to me."

My stomach nosedives, but it only makes me firmly attest, "I'm not just anyone."

"Yeah. That makes this even more dangerous for me."

Her statement hangs in the air like dynamite waiting to explode, yet I still state, "I think we were pretty good together last night, don't you?"

Pink flushes her cheeks. "We shouldn't have done it. We can't again."

I grunt and slide my hand between her legs. She inhales sharply and doesn't move. I lean into her ear. "You're wrong, Bridge. Whether you want to admit it now or not, you need me. No matter what you say, I'm not backing down this time. This thing between us, now that we crossed the line, isn't going to go away. So my suggestion is for you to embrace it."

"I can't handle this right now. Can't we go back to the friend zone?" she asks but squirms when I stroke my thumb over her slit.

"I'll always be your friend, but no, we can't go back to where we were. It's a misconception to think you can ever forget last night happened."

"And how long will it be before you get bored with me? Hmm?" She arches her eyebrows.

"I won't."

"I don't believe you."

Her truth hurts, but I deserve it. I remove my hand and slide my hand through her hair. "I'll prove it to you."

"Dante, I can't—"

"After everything that's gone on, do you really believe I would play with you?"

She closes her eyes briefly. "You always get bored. It doesn't matter what woman you date. It's just who you are."

"And why do you think I get bored?" I angrily sling.

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