Page 81 of Hidden By His Side

She wished she could hide against his chest again. “I wasn’t even talking about going with you. It’s okay if you need to do something and leave me here. I mean, isn’t that what the cameras are for? You can still check on me and get done what you need to get done.”

Ramiro’s thumbs stroked her shoulders. “Are you wanting some alone time?”

She would hate every second that he wasn’t with her. She opened her mouth to lie but shut it again. Ramiro hated when she lied to him, even if it was for his own good.

She sighed, pulling out of his grasp to back toward the opposite counter. “I’m just saying that I’m okay if you aren’t with meevery second. You don’t have to not do something you might need to do just because we’re living together.”

Ramiro’s hand lifted, pushing back through his thick, wavy hair, and she wished it was her hand touching him. “What is it you think I might need to do?”

She bit her lip, looking away.

He hummed in his throat. Normally she loved that thinking hum. Now it made her feel exposed, vulnerable.

“There’s obviously something you’re not saying.” His hand dropped, pressing into his leg. “I’m gonna need you to come out and say it.”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to talk about this. Let’s just watch TV, like you said. I was being stupid.” She forced a smile, lifting her head but focusing on his nose so she wouldn’t see his expression. He was probably so frustrated with her. “I like cuddling on the couch. You’re always offering just what I need.” He always got everything exactly right while she made a mess of things.

When she tried to walk past him, Ramiro caught her, tugging her closer and tilting her chin up. “What do you think I need?” he pressed.

Summer stared into his searching eyes. “I don’t want to say it,” she whispered.

He brushed her hair behind her ear, his touch so gentle it made her want to cry. “You can tell me anything.”

She knew that steady look in his eyes. He wasn’t going to let this go. “I-I know,okay?” she mumbled.

“What do you know?”

She swallowed, her mouth feeling too dry as her stomach squeezed. “I know I’m not enough.”

“Not enough?” His forehead wrinkled. “What are you talking about? You’re everything.”

She shook her head. “No, I’m not, and it’s okay.”

“I love you. How many times do I have to say it for you to hear it?”

“No. I mean, yes. I know you love me.” Saying the words herself made them seem more real. Ramiro loved her. She felt dizzy at the thought.

“Do you?” His hand moved to the back of her head, sinking into her hair so she couldn’t look away. “Say it again, then.”

“You love me.” Summer’s whole body filled with heat.

He stared into her eyes. “Again.”

“You love me.” Summer’s hands reached out, pressing against his chest. Not to push him away. She needed to touch him, to ground herself. “You love me,” she said again, this time on her own.

He leaned down, brushing his lips over hers, the contact making her mouth tingle. “I do. I love you. So how could you possibly think you’re not enough?”

Her throat tried to tighten. “Sex!” she blurted out, cringing as his eyes grew wide. She tried to push away now, but he wouldn’t let her. His head lifted from hers, though, and the surprise in his eyes faded to something else. She’d seen it in his eyes often enough to recognize it.

Ramiro was worrying about her again.

Summer tried not to cry. “You don’t want to have sex with me.”

Ramiro winced, and her fingers grew numb where they rested against his chest. “That’s—”

“I get it,” she interrupted. “You didn’t get there with me either time. It can’t be worth all that effort when you get nothing out of it.”

“Not worth it?”

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