Page 184 of Between the Lines

My breathing feels shallow. “But you’ll lose your deal with the Board. You won’t get approval for buying the streaming service.”

He lifts a shoulder in a shrug. “Yeah. Not a big deal.”

He’s been working toward this for months.Years.The way he’s described it, he believes it’s the key to ensuring Titan Media stays relevant and competitive in the coming decades.

The cost is astronomical.

“You can’t do that,” I tell him. “That means too much to you.”

His lips curve. “I found something that means far more.”

“Oh.”

“Anything you need from me is yours. Just say the words. If you want us to live in anonymity and obscurity, that’s what we’ll do. I can buy and kill news stories. I’ll apologize to your parents. I’ll do everything I can to convince them that you’ll never suffer again because of me or Titan Media.” His hand slides down my arm and finds my fingers. His entwine with mine. “Chaos, even if all you want is a ‘no strings’ kind of relationship that allows you the freedom to keep traveling and writing, moving from place to place, I’ll be right there alongside you every step of the way.”

“Your life is in Los Angeles,” I whisper.

“Only because Titan’s headquarters are there. There’s no other draw for me, and I can work remotely.” His voice turns fierce. “You’re what matters. Ever since I walked into that hotel room, you’ve set my entire world ablaze. I’ve seen your bravery and your heart, and it’s the most beautiful thing in the world. I want…” He shakes his head a little. “Fuck, I want everything where you’re concerned. But I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give me.”

“What do you want?” I tighten my grip on his hand. “Tell me.”

“This is about you,” he says.

I shake my head. “It’s not. It’s aboutus.And I want to hear what you want.”

“I want you living with me,” he says. “I want your laughs, your smiles. Your late nights and your early mornings. I want you by my side at events, and I want to get to know your world. I want you to show me around this town and meet your parents, and I want to kill anyone who’s said a single bad thing about you throughout the years.” His eyes burn, and I’m swallowed whole by his expression. “I want you to tell your story. I want everyone to know the truth about what happened on the reality show, even if it’s my company that’ll look bad. I want years with you. To walk beside you on whatever path your pen takes you. I wantus to surf together, hike together. Hold you in my arms on the couch while you fall asleep to a movie. I want everyone to know you’re mine, and I’m yours. I want to hold you at night, and I want your last name to change just one more time.

“That’s selfish, all of that. But you asked me, so there it is, Charlotte. I am a selfish man. I’ve been given a lot in life, and here I am, asking for more. Asking for you. Because god help me, I’d give up everything else if it means you’ll be mine.” He brushes the back of his hand along my cheek. Finds a tendril of my hair and twists it gently around his finger. “You’ve been so unexpected from the start, Chaos. Turned me inside out at every turn until I couldn’t think about anything but you. So here I am, so in love with you that it hurts. And while I know andhatethe fact that I’ve caused you pain, I’m asking if you’ll have me in return.”

The moment feels like it lasts forever.

So much in love with you that it hurts.

I look at him and the strong planes of his face. He’s always been handsome. Right now, he’s so beautiful it breaks my heart. Cracks it wide open and his words pour in. They fill me up with warmth.

A tear runs down my cheek. Aiden’s green eyes widen, and his hand slides down to cup my face. “Charlotte,” he murmurs.

“You’re in love with me?” I whisper.

He dips his head in a single nod. “You’ve ruined me entirely, Chaos. There’s no one else for me.”

I throw myself at him.

It surprises us both, I think. He catches me with a low grunt. His arms wrap around my waist, and he kisses me back. He tastes like mint.

His lips feel like coming home.

I lift my head, now halfway in his lap. “I love you, too.”

Aiden goes very still. Every part of him, except for his hands on my waist. They tighten their grip.

“You do?”

“Yes. I’ve liked you since I first met you. Even when you were annoying, when you drove me mad, when you frustrated me… I always liked you. Somewhere over the weeks, it grew stronger than that. It felt like I was drowning and floating at the same time.”

“I know what you mean.”

“I tried to fight it for a long time. But it wasn’t… it wasn’t because of the show. It was because I was scared of getting hurt, I think.” My forehead comes to rest against his, both of us breathing hard. “And I was scared of being found out. Of making a dumb mistake.”

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