Page 56 of Whiskey Promises
"No. I want you to move in with me. The US leg of the tour ends in February. I already told Nadia I wouldn't be doing the overseas leg."
I stare at him, not sure what to say. My heart is screaming yes, but my head? Well, that's a little slower to agree. It's spitting questions like the Grand Inquisitor at a trial. "What if…?"
"What?"
I want to ask what if he changes his mind about me, but I don't.
"What if I can't find a job here?"
"Then open your own rescue," he says like he's got it all figured out. "One of the biggest populations of illegal wild animals is in this state, you know. We have big cat rescues and sanctuaries all over the place."
"You can't just open a rescue, Jareth. It takes funding."
"Uh, look around, princess. I've got plenty of that."
"I'm not taking your money!"
"Why not? It's not like I'll miss it."
I huff at him, scrambling up from the bed. "Because I need to bring something to this relationship."
"What the fuck does that mean?" he asks, narrowing his eyes on me.
"It means I can't just live off you. I'd feel like a gold-digger."
He stares at me for a long moment before a bark of laughter erupts from his lips.
"It's not that funny," I say, scowling.
"It is if you believe that shit," he disagrees, grabbing me when I try to slide past him. "I've spent the last four months trying to convince your infuriating little ass to give me a chance. You don't have a gold-digging bone in your body."
"That's beside the point."
"What is the point?"
"I don't know!" I cry, burying my face in my hands. "You just asked me to move in with you, and I'm freaking out a little."
"Why? Because you don't want it or because you do?"
"Because I do," I admit in a whisper. I want it so freaking bad it scares me.
"Then it's settled. You move in after graduation."
"What if we don't make it until then?" I ask, peeking at him through my fingers. "I leave in two days. What if…?"
His fingers against my lips silence me. "You still doubt me, baby?"
I'm not sure I ever really doubted him. I just tried to convince myself that this couldn't happen. Now it is happening, and I'm not sure what comes next. How do I leave here in two days, knowing that I'm leaving him behind? How do I spend five months half a country away, knowing that he's waiting back here for me? It sounds like torture. And I've never been a fan of pain.
"Five months sounds like a lifetime."
He smiles gently, cupping my cheek. "You love me."
Tears well in my eyes as I bob my head in a quick nod. "It's terrifying, Jareth. I wasn't supposed to want this. I don't know what I'm doing!"
"You're safe with me, baby," he murmurs, pulling me into his arms. "I've got you. The only thing you have to do is let me love you. Can you do that?"
"I'm trying." I lean my head against his shoulder.
