Page 88 of His Road Dog

She wasn't following his explanation. He was the president of Tarkio. She understood there were ways he made his money but yet had never gone on a nine-to-five job like other men. Aware that other people had ways of making a living that wasn't always ethical or within the boundaries of the law, she could accept that. But she wasn't talking about his lifestyle choices.

"That doesn't explain—"

"It does." He turned her head to face him. "If I'm going to have a future with you, I need you to trust me, not question me. Like tonight. You were scared, but you trusted me to keep you safe and not hurt you. I need you to do that in all aspects of my life."

"Why?"

He pressed his lips together, and his brows lowered. She stroked his face. He was closing himself off from her.

"Please, Michael," she whispered.

He stared into her eyes. Her heart hammered, sensing his struggle. She wasn't the only one who needed to learn how to trust. He needed to lean on her for support. She was strong enough to handle whatever came her way.

He inhaled deeply. "Because it's the only way I won't lose you."

She wound her arms around his neck and held him close. He was scared to lose her. She never would've guessed that was the driving force behind how he acted.

He cleared his throat and patted her hip. "Ready to go to sleep?"

"Yeah." She kissed him quickly and crawled across the mattress to her side of the bed.

He shut off the light and returned to her. Rolling to her side, she snuggled against him. He was the most complex man she'd ever met.

Tonight, he'd proven once again that he would never harm her. And the sex was out of this world.

Who was she to judge what he needed in his life for him to gain the security he needed to live his life? He never once judged her for how she'd grown up or the freedoms she lived by.

"Michael?"

"Hm?"

"I won't leave you." She tilted her head. "I'm falling in love with you."

His arm tightened under her head, and he kissed her forehead. "I wouldn't let you leave me."

She propped her elbow on the bed and raised her head. "Are you falling in love, too?"

"Babe...I was raised in a Catholic orphanage, beaten practically every day for doing what boys do." He paused. "I saw a bit of Vietnam. I've taken lives and committed every crime you can name. I don't believe in love."

"But—"

"But I believe in us, and in my opinion, that's fucking better than love." He pulled her down beside him. "Now close your eyes. You wore me out."

She sighed in contentment. He believed in their relationship. For tonight, that was good enough for her, too.

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