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"That's harsh," I mutter.

"You want me to treat you with kid gloves like I would one of my clients? Or do you want me to treat you like the grown-ass man that you are?"

I narrow my eyes at her, but her words light a fire deep inside of me. She wants to be fought for. She doesn't want me to bow out and let her make all the decisions. There's just something about it that makes me feel like a possessive, wild beast, one ready to rip pieces out of others just to hold her attention for a few minutes longer.

"Don't make all these heartbreaking confessions, throw them at my feet, and then say 'whatever you want to do with that, let me know.' It's fucking rude."

"I don't know where my boundaries are with you, Caitlyn. I don't want to do something that's going to trigger your—"

"There are no boundaries with you!" she yells. "That's the whole fucking point. I don't cringe at your touch. I don't want to crawl inside of myself when your hands are on me. For the first time in my life, I feel safe in someone's embrace. Fight for me, Roman. I can promise you that you won't get much pushback from me."

"I'll fuck this up," I confess. "I'll do something that will hurt you, something that will make you hate me."

"Will you end up hating me?"

My head shakes without thought. "Never."

"Will you seek comfort in another woman's arms?"

"Of course not."

"Will you share me with other men?"

"Have you lost your fucking mind? I want to kill Zeus just for knowing you exist."

"Then I say we see where this goes."

"If you keep looking at me the way you are right now, it's going to go right under those fucking covers."

Silence filters through the room, our confessions heavy in the room, and I watch, waiting for her response as she chews the inside of her cheek.

Her smile is slow and soft. "I think I need a nap."

Not where I'd thought it was going to go, but I'm down for any situation where I get to touch her.

Standing near the door, I pull off my t-shirt before kicking off my boots and dropping my pants.

She slides under the blankets before holding them open for me, and for the first time since I met her, my mind is clear of any doubt. I know I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.

Chapter 39

Caitlyn

Dr. Moore will be ecstatic to know that Roman crawled in this bed with me, and we slept for several more hours before my grumbling stomach made us get up and seek something to eat. It seems more rest is exactly what I needed, although I'm not certain about taking more than a few days off.

After a quick meal, we were right back in the room, holding each other in silence.

I haven't completely healed. I still don't know why I hate others to touch me, but what I do know is in his arms is where I'm meant to be.

I don't know how long I get to keep him, but I will thank my lucky stars for every minute I do get.

I woke this morning completely rested and ready to face the world, but I'm hesitant to get out of bed. Roman's arms are all the way around me, and we both somehow managed to sleep through the night without our traumas interrupting.

He mentioned last night before we fell asleep that he frequently has nightmares, and although I kept my mouth shut then, I know we'll have to have a conversation about him seeking therapy so maybe he can go longer periods of time with a little peace in his life.

We talked and laughed. We talked and cried. His tears when he spoke about his boys were gut-wrenching, and I wished for any way to help him heal.

What we didn't do was get physical past soft kisses and warm hugs, both of which I needed and appreciated, but, man, I'd like to take things a little further sooner rather than later.

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