Page 77 of The Keeper

I needed to get out.

I needed to leave.

I needed to get as far away from here as possible.

“I have to pack. Can we go?” My voice cracked.

Our eyes locked and all the feelings that came along with it surged through me. When he stood up to approach me I backed away.

If he touched me, I’d lose it. If he kissed me, I’d surrender.

I wanted it more than anything.

I can’t have it.

This was a mistake.

All of it was a mistake.

We left in silence. Thankfully, the drive to my rental was quick. I hopped out of the car before he put it in park and ran to the door. His footsteps weren’t far behind.

“Victoria.”

The sound of his voice tightened the screw.

I opened the door to seek refuge but he was right behind me.

“Listen to me. Please.” He reached for my hand, placing it to his chest. Just like last night in bed when he was groggy with sleep. When he told me I belonged here with him. Words he most likely didn’t remember.

“I realize we don’t know one another well. But what I do know about you,” he hesitated, licking his lips, “I like very much.”

“What could you possibly like about me?”

He was an exposed nerve, standing with my hand pressed tight to his chest. “Where to start. You’re smart, bloody hilarious, honest. You go after what you want without apology.” He held my hand tighter. “You keep it locked up, but you have a big heart. Big enough to let some arse like me in, even just a little. You have more to give than you realize.”

Tears flowed from my eyes. “Give? All I’ve done is take from you.”

He leaned his forehead to mine with a sigh. “I know, love. I’ve taken just as much from you.”

Jesus Christ. We’re so alike. And it scared me. It scared me how easy it was for him to see I took from him without regret, without any second thoughts. It terrified me that it didn’t send him running.

“I don’t want you to be alone tonight,” he whispered.

“We can’t…I can’t have sex with you again.”

“That’s not what I’m asking.”

Lines are blurring.

“Don’t do that,” I stammered.

“Don’t do what?”

“Don’t give me hope I deserve more.”

He held my face in his hands in the gentle way he’d done earlier. The way that made me feel cared for, wanted, adored. The way I’d always dreamed it could be.

When I looked into his eyes, I shivered. So much raw emotion filled them.

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