Page 124 of Love You Like That (Excess All Areas 4)

“Why the hell do you think I’m upset? Do you think I’m incapable of helping you?”

Zoe shook her head, “No. Why do—”

“I think you must. Because why the fuck wouldn’t you tell me this was going on?”

Her stomach flipped. “Because you were on tour. You had your own stuff to deal with. I knew you’d worry being away and not being able to be here. And I was capable of dealing with it by myself.”

Alex stepped away from her, put his hands on his head and then turned back to her. “And that’s the point, isn’t it? You did it all on your own. You don’t fucking have to.”

“But I’m a capable woman. I can—”

“Fuck me, Zoe. I know you’re capable. And I know your mum threw you to the wolves as your hearing deteriorated. Telling you that you needed to be independent, telling you to stand on your own two feet in the world. But I thought we were in this together. I know you don’t need me. I know you can manage everything on your own. But I want you to lean on me. To turn to me when you’re carrying something heavy, emotionally or physically, and let me help you. It’s not weak to let another person in or let them help.”

All the food she’d just eaten sat heavy in her gut. She’d only caught about half of what he’d said, but it felt important. “I don’t ever want to be a burden,” she said, quietly.

Alex grabbed her and squeezed her tightly. “You aren’t a fucking burden, Zoe. But Jesus Christ. When shit happens, I want to know. And, yes, I’m going to want to help fix it. Because that’s the dynamic I want in a relationship. I want you to need me sometimes. Not even to fix shit for you but be there to support you while you fix shit yourself. And I want to feel like I can lean on you when I need you. Like the centre. I could do it by myself, yeah. Not involve you in any of it. But is it going to be better because of your involvement? Of course it is.”

Zoe placed her forehead to his chest. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

As his grip on her loosened, she let out a sigh. He slid his forefinger beneath her chin and tipped it. “I’m serious, Zoe. You need to let me be there for you, okay? Don’t filter what you think I need to know.”

“Okay.”

“Okay, you understand me but don’t necessarily agree and next time you think you have a stalker you’ll keep it to yourself because I’m in the middle of a tour of the States? Or, okay, I’m going to be more open and make sure I communicate with Alex because he fucking loves me, and I need to get used to it?”

“You love me?”

Alex sighed and calmed himself. “I’d think that’s pretty obvious, yeah? I mean, you love me, right?”

Despite the heat of their conversation, despite the churning in her gut, she knew the words were true. “I do.”

“So say it.”

“I love you, Alex. Now you say it.”

“I already did.”

“Meh. You kinda shouted it at me.”

“I love you, Zoe Atkins.” He smiled before his lips gently met hers. “I love you so fiercely it’s like you exist in my veins, buried in every beat of my heart.”

“You love me like that?”

“Yeah, Rocky. I love you like that. Now. Apologise for keeping me out, and we’ll go from there, yeah?”

“Sorry,” she admitted.

“Good girl.”

He loved her.

She loved him.

Tomorrow they’d deal with her safety.

Nudging Zoe’s bedroom door open, he led them inside. He turned to face her, making sure she could see his lips. “Did you get tested? Because I did, and everything was clear.”

Zoe nodded. “I did. And same.”

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