Page 142 of Doughn't Let Me Go

“Besides, if I want to give up control of my company—which technically I’m not—I can. You’re not my boss, Dory.”

“No, but you’re mine.”

“Not anymore. You quit.”

“Not officially.”

“Then you’re fired,” he says decisively. “You’re fired. That means there’s nothing else standing in our way. I’m staying, and you’re fired.”

“Porter…”

“No.” His voice is sharp, hard. “No,” he says, softer this time. “Stop running, Dory. Please. Let me love you. Let me show you what it’s like to be loved.”

“But what if you stop?”

“Stop what? Loving you?” He laughs lightly. “As if I could ever do that.” His forehead drops to mine again, his gray eyes closing. “I love you. You’re funny and a smartass. You’re a fighter. Don’t even get me started on your tits.”

I laugh, because of course he’d say that.

“And you’re smart. You’re kind. You’re giving. And my kid loves you. Kyrie loves you so much it’s unreal. I can’t believe you weren’t going to say goodbye to her.”

I choke back the sob that threatens. “I couldn’t. It hurt too much leaving you that note. I couldn’t possibly face her.”

“When I went to your room and you were gone, it gutted me, Dory. I’ve been left by so many people in my life.” He presses his head against mine harder. “Don’t leave me too.”

His uttered plea breaks the last of the walls I have up.

“I won’t,” I whisper.

I can feel him smile. “Thank god. I really didn’t want to have to kidnap you. I don’t think I’d survive jail.”

I laugh lightly and pull my head back, looking up into his eyes.

“I’m scared.”

He nods. “I am too.”

“What if this doesn’t work out? What if it fails? I’ve seen so many relationships fail, Porter. I don’t want that. I don’t want all those failures under my belt.”

“As long as we don’t stop fighting for it, it can’t fail. There may be times when I love you more. There may be times when you love me more. We just can’t stop fighting for it.”

“If we do this for real, we—”

“There are no ifs. We’re doing this.”

I grin. “You’re so bossy.”

“You like it.”

“Maybe.Sincewe’re doing this”—I wink—“I have some stipulations.”

“Of course you do. Let’s hear them.”

“You can’t pay for everything for me.” When he opens his mouth to argue, I shake my head. “I’m serious, Porter. I plan to have a job. I’m not going to let you be my sugar daddy.”

“I kind of like the sound of that title though.”

I smile, shaking my head again. “I still want to go to school.”

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