My gaze returned to hers, and I didn’t hide the emotions running through me, the things I was feeling.
Nope.
Not this time.
I let all those dark, covetous inclinations I had inside me rise to the top. I needed her to see them, plain as that big moon hanging in the sky above us.
“We have some things to talk about.”
“Like what?”
“Like what happens when we go back?” she asked, dark eyes welling with unshed tears.
I understood her upset and felt her reticence to my marrow.
The real world could be a mean motherfucker.
But what she didn’t know was she had me now in her corner.
God, did she have me.
“Michelle, it’s all going to be okay.”
“I want to believe you, but after the threat is gone and you decide you were crazy to do all this, well, what about the hospital?”
“The donation to the hospital and your position with the new pediatric medical engineering wing have nothing to do with this. But just so you know, the documents you signed on the plane included a document that ensured all my promises will hold up should something happen,” I said, motioning between us.
Her brows furrowed, and I wanted to explain it was part of my living will not a prenup, but I held my tongue.
Nothing was going to happen to me or my feelings, but I wasn’t telling her that right now.
I could hardly think for the pounding inside my head. This woman took up every available inch of space inside my brain.
Every thought.
Every action.
They were all for her. Couldn’t she see that?
“You knew I wouldn’t be able to turn that down, didn’t you? Is that why you did it? Because you knew I'd never say no to something that could help people,” she asked, like she just started putting it together.
“You got a big heart, Doc.”
She did. It was the kind of thing that got most people in trouble. But not her. Michelle used her heart to help people.
She’d turned it into an asset. It was a strength. Not a weakness.
“Yeah, right,” she murmured self-deprecatingly.
“You do.”
I frowned. What did she think I was lying?
Her heart was big. And perfect. I hoped like fuck there was room for me in it me with all my imperfections, with the mess I brought with me.
I didn’t want it to taint her. I mean, I would still do anything to make sure she was safe and protected even if she told me to get lost.
I just hoped like hell she wouldn’t do that.