Page 120 of Always

A week went by, and then another.

I was relieved that she was out of my life. I’d discovered a lot that I liked in the bedroom and one thing that I hated. Something I’d never do again, no matter what. No matter how careful you were with breath control, there was always a risk.

I was a risk taker. I always had been. But I was not willing to risk a person’s life.

I was relieved the relationship—if you could call it that—was over.

Turned out it wasn’t.

The stalking began again.

Addie waited by my truck after work, this time wearing a black jumpsuit and a choker made of braided black velvet.

“Please, sir,” she begged. “I need it. I need you.”

“I’ve told you it’s over,” I said. “This isn’t about what you want.”

“You miss me. You must. We were so in sync.”

“We were in over our heads.”

“But we’ve learned. We can do better.”

“No,” I said flatly. “It’s over.”

When the stalking didn’t stop, I finally had no choice. I called the police.

…

“So you didn’t dump her because she wouldn’t get kinky.”

“Of course I didn’t. I was frightened, Skye. Wouldn’t you be?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I would be. I can’t believe she wanted to try it again.”

“Apparently the climax was that good,” I say.

“More likely she just didn’t want to let you go. Did you consider getting back with her and just doing the other stuff?”

“Yeah, I considered it. But after she continued stalking me, I realized I wasn’t dealing with a rational person. She was so usedto getting what she wanted that she couldn’t handle not having me. That wasn’t a person I wanted any long-term involvement with.”

“So you were never in love with her?”

“How can you ask me that?”

“It’s a valid question.”

“Valid, yes, but unnecessary. You already know the answer. I’ve told you I never loved a woman until you, Skye.”

Chapter Forty-Five

Skye’s expression softens. Hearing all of this is difficult for her. I get that. It’s more difficult for me to tell her. To let myself think about it. I’m doing this for her. Only for her.

I wouldn’t for anyone else. She has to know that. I never loved Addie.

“Was she in love with you?”

“She thought she was.”

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