Page 61 of Kaz
He opened his mouth, but all that came out was a shuddering breath.
“I’m done letting you go,” Kaz said, his words making Miles snap his head up to stare into stormy gray eyes.
“I know I don’t deserve you,” Kaz started, and Miles shook his head. “I’ve tried, but I can try harder? Iwilltry harder. I don’t want to lose you, Miles.”
“Kaz…”
“Please.”
Kaz’s plea went straight to his heart, the sound so soft and yet so powerful, so all-encompassing. It tore at him because how could Kaz not see? How could he ever think he wasn’t enough?
“I don’t deserve you. I never have. It’s why I’ve…” Kaz dropped his gaze to the floor, his knuckles white from how hard he was clenching his hands. “I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted to be perfect for you. I can?”
“I don’t want the perfectly curated Kaz,” Miles yelled, finally finding his words.
Kaz blinked at him, brows scrunching in confusion.
Miles grabbed his hair, tugging hard while he spun around himself in frustration. How did he make Kaz understand? How did he explain it in a way that would get through Kaz’s thick skull?
A groan ripped from his throat.
“Miles?”
Kaz’s voice was soft. Hesitant.
He dropped his hands and faced Kaz, looking up into eyes like gray thunder clouds. The fear in them felt like agony, burning a path through his chest, heading straight for his heart.
“I don’t need you to be perfect. No one’s perfect, Kaz.” His voice was trembling, his heart thundering in his chest. “I just needyou. All of you. I need your honesty. Your loyalty.”
He watched Kaz swallow hard, a pained expression crossing his face. Kaz’s gaze dropped to the ground, and his shoulders slumped. Fear clogged Miles’s throat as he waited for the words that might destroy their relationship for good.
“I know I don’t deserve you,” Kaz finally said, the anguish in his voice making Miles suck in a sharp breath. Kaz slowly raised his head, stormy eyes catching Miles’s. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do.”
Miles shook his head, but Kaz continued. “I wanted to show you that I could be those things. That I succeeded. That I was someone worthy of your trust and loyalty. Miles… I want to give you the fucking world.”
Something warm trailed down his cheek, and Kaz became a blurry mess as he blinked away tears. Kaz reached for him, and a sob escaped him when he felt those calloused hands against his cheeks. He wrapped his fingers around Kaz’s wrists, holding on as he stared into eyes full of anguish and love.
“I don’t want the world,” he whispered, his throat thick. “I want you tobemy world.”
Kaz sucked in a sharp breath. “You have me. You’ve always had me.”
He stepped back, Kaz’s hands falling from his face.
“No, I haven’t. I get it. Being scared of giving all you are to someone.”
“All I am… Miles. I’m nothing without you,” Kaz mumbled, eyes a raging inferno of fear and insecurities.
Miles shook his head. “I don’t want that. Don’t put that on me, Kaz.”
The line between Kaz’s brows deepened, and Miles sighed.
“You think you’re nothing? Look at everything you’ve done. All the people you’ve saved. Do you think they’d say the same? Do you think the others follow you because you’re nothing? No. They see you. Theyknowwho you are, Kaz. You’re loyal. You’re dependable. You’re fierce and protective.” He quirked a brow at Kaz. “A little possessive, too.”
Kaz’s lips twitched, and he put his hands on Miles’s hips, tugging him closer. “A little?”
Miles nodded, his heart thudding loudly in his chest.
He needed Kaz to know that he was more than what he was worth to others. He would make Kaz see that. He would show Kaz, if he let him.
