Page 86 of Seeds of Malice

He's breaking up with me already?

Don't let him!

Fight for him!

My voice shakes with emotion when I say, "Can we please talk about this?"

He exits the expressway and pulls into a parking lot. He accuses, "You're driving me crazy. You want me. You don't want me. Which one is it, Ivy?"

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Am I giving him that impression?

He grabs my hand and kisses it. He claims, "I've never wanted anyone as much as I want you. You're the only person I think about. I can't sleep without you invading my dreams. I can't wake up without going to the window and staring toward your cottage, hoping to see you. And all week, you've not allowed me to see you."

"I did! I tried! I told you, my father?—"

"You're eighteen, an adult. You can't let him continue to tell you what to do. If you want to see me, you'll have to stand up to him at some point," he asserts.

I take a deep breath and nod. "I know. I'll do better. Promise. Please! Just be patient with me. He's my father. And I know he'll eventually come around. I'll make sure of it. I promise!"

He deeply exhales and rubs his hand over his face.

"Dax," I desperately beg.

He reaches for my head, tugs me toward him, and kisses me.

I slide my arms around him and kiss him with everything I have.

If I lose him, it'll be my fault.

He slightly pulls back, and I whisper, "I'm handling all this wrong. I don't mean to. I... I just haven't ever been in this situation with my dad. But I'll make it right. I promise. He'll eventually realize he's wrong about you. You'll see."

His lips curve. "Do you really think so?"

"Yes," I confidently say, but I'm unsure how I'll ever change my father's opinion about Dax. Yet I'm going to. Ihaveto.

"I don't want to lose you because of him," Dax claims.

I shake my head, blurting out, "You won't. And I don't want to lose you either!"

He softens his tone. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. Like I said, you're driving me crazy."

"I'm not trying to," I repeat.

"Shh. I know, baby girl. I know. I just... Want me to be honest with you?"

I nod. "Please!"

He hesitates for a moment, and my anxiety builds. Then he lowers his voice. To my surprise, it's vulnerable, which isn't normal for him. He admits, "I've never met anyone like you. No one's caught my interest the way you have. You're special. I need you."

My heart soars. I smile and confess, "I need you too, Dax."

He strokes my cheek and continues, "This week has been the hardest one of my life. We can't let your father win. And I'm afraid he'll never accept me."

"He will. I know he will," I insist, even though I fear Dax might be right.

"I don't think he will. He hates me. And I don't know why."

I blurt out, "Your father warned him to keep you away from me!"

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