Page 97 of Lars

“I love you,” he whispered, then kissed me.

I just lay there, paralyzed by my emotions, until he pulled away.

He frowned as he peered down at me. “Are you okay?”

Only then did I realize that tears were streaming from my eyes and trickling down the sides of my face.

“What’s wrong?” he whispered.

I shook my head, unable to speak.

I don’t know, I wanted to say, but my lips wouldn’t form the words.

“It’s okay,” he whispered, and he started to pull out –

NO!

All I knew was that I didn’t want him to leave. I desperately wanted him inside me.

Not just because it felt so good –

But because I was afraid if he pulled out of me, I would lose him.

Crazy, I know – but I didn’t understand anything I was feeling.

I was overwhelmed, tossed on a sea of emotion –

But I knew I wanted him.

I wanted him more than anything…

More than everything.

I grabbed under his arm and stopped him from pulling out any further.

“Don’t,” I managed to choke out as tears streamed down my face.

“Are you sure?” he whispered in concern.

I nodded, unable to speak.

He slowly eased back all the way, and I closed my eyes with the pure pleasure of feeling him so deep inside me.

He gently brushed back the hair from my face. “If this is too much – you don’t have to…”

He trailed off, but I knew the next words:

You don’t have to say it back.

You don’t have to say ‘I love you.’

But I did love him.

I did –

But it just terrified me to say it.

It felt like I was opening myself up in a way I never had –

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