Page 71 of Bozo

"No, Grá," he cuts me off, his voice firm but not unkind. "I know what you're going to say. You don't want me to get hurt, that you don’t want me to do something that could get me into trouble. I understand that you want to protect me, but baby, it’s my turn to protect you.”

The hurt in his voice makes my heart ache. I reach up, placing my hand over his where it rests on my cheek. "Connor, I'm scared," I admit softly. "Not just of what happened, but of... this. Us."

His eyes soften, and he pulls me closer, wrapping his arms around me. I sink into his embrace, feeling safe, just as I do whenever I’m in his arms. "I know, Sunshine. I'm scared too," he murmurs into my hair.

I pull back slightly, looking up at him in surprise. "You are?"

He nods, a rueful smile on his face. "Terrified. I've never felt this way about anyone before, Grá. The thought of losing you fucking kills me."

My breath catches in my throat. "Connor..."

"Let me finish," he says, gently. "I know I've been an idiot. I've wasted so much time, trying to convince myself that what I felt for you was just friendship. I made things even worse by fucking you and walking away. Friends with benefits was never going to work. It's always been more than that. I've loved you for years, Sunshine. I was just too scared to admit it."

Tears well up in my eyes as I listen to his words. "Why were you scared?"

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Because you deserve better than me, Grá. You deserve someone who can give you everything you want, someone who isn't broken."

I shake my head vehemently. "You're not broken, Connor. You're an amazing man who has the biggest heart I know. You’ve always protected me. You’ve always been someone I can rely on, someone to lean on.”

“My dad?—”

“Is a fucking dickhead,” I hiss, cutting him off. I watch as he raises a brow, a smirk playing on his lips. “He was a vile man who got off on bullying you. You are so much better than he ever was, Con. You’re smart—hell, you’re practically a genius—but that man made you think it was a curse, when the truth of it is it’s beautiful. You’re beautiful. I just wish you’d see that.”

Connor's eyes soften at my words, and he pulls me closer, resting his forehead against mine. "You always see the best in me, Sunshine. Even when I can't see it myself."

I reach up, cupping his face in my hands. "That's because I love you, Connor. All of you. The good, the bad, and everything in between."

He closes his eyes, taking a shaky breath. When he opens them again, they're filled with a mixture of love and determination. "I want to be better for you, Grá. I want to be the man you deserve."

"You already are," I whisper.

He shakes his head slightly. "No, I'm not. But I want to be. I want to face my demons and give you a life you deserve. A family."

My heart soars at his words, but I can't help the small seed of doubt that lingers. "Are you sure? This is a big step, Connor. I don't want you to feel pressured?—"

He cuts me off with a gentle kiss. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life, Sunshine. I love you. I want you. All of you."

I can’t stop the happy tears from falling. "I love you too, Connor. So much."

He wipes away my tears with his thumbs, his touch impossibly soft and tender. “I promise you, Grá, the man who hurt you won’t ever do so again. I’m not going to stop searching until I find him.”

I nod, knowing there's no point in arguing with Connor when he's this determined. "Just... be careful, okay? I couldn't bear it if something happened to you because of me."

Connor's eyes soften, and he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. "Nothing's going to happen to me, Sunshine. I promise. But I need you to promise me something too."

"Anything," I say without hesitation.

"No more secrets," he says firmly. "No more trying to handle things on your own. We're in this together now, Grá. You're not alone. I'm always right here beside you."

I feel a warmth spread through my chest at his words. "I promise," I whisper.

He leans down, capturing my lips in a kiss that's both tender and passionate. When we finally break apart, we're both breathless.

"Come on," Connor says, taking my hand. "Let's go back inside. I'm sure the girls are dying to know what's going on."

I laugh softly, allowing him to lead me back toward the clubhouse. "They seem pretty invested in our relationship."

Connor chuckles. "I bet they are."

---