Page 102 of Undeniable

So I’d settle for whatever I could have for now, even if that meant putting an “expiration date” on our relationship. Even if it meant we might not make it. There was no guarantee that any relationship would survive—long-distance or not. But I wouldn’t know unless I tried.

When he still said nothing, I was tempted to give up. This morning had been hard enough, and I didn’t have much fight left in me. But Connor had always encouraged me to be honest. To advocate for myself.

So I gathered my courage and said, “When George held that gun—”

“Goody.” His voice cracked, tension filling the silence. His eyes were watery and pleading. Neither of us wanted to relive that moment.

I continued on, undeterred. “In that moment, I didn’t know if I was going to live or die, but all I could think of was you. All I could think was that I regretted not telling you that I love you. That I want to be together, even if it means we’re living in separate states for now.”

He shook his head, his nostrils flaring. “It was wrong of me to ask you to do something you’ve expressly stated you don’t want. And it would be even worse for me to agree now when you’re still in shock.”

I closed my eyes to ward off the onslaught of emotion. I’d pushed him away last night when he’d suggested we try long-distance, but surely… I couldn’t stomach the thought of his rejection. It had been a big day, and I didn’t know how much more my heart could handle.

“Please,” I whispered. “Please, Connor. Are you trying to break me?” I finally choked out.

More silence, and then he took me in his arms. My heart was pounding so loud, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he could hear it. “The last thing I would want is to hurt you. You’re everything to me. Everything good and right in the world. And this morning…” His breath was measured as he inhaled and then exhaled slowly. “This morning, seeing you like that, it nearly gutted me.”

“It was awful,” I admitted. “But I had faith in you. In us.”

“Olivia…” He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as emotion swam in his eyes. “I love you.” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “I think I loved you before I even met you. And I’m sorry it took something like this for me to tell you.”

I leaned into his touch, reveling in his words. “So then, why did you push me away just now?”

He hung his head. “To protect you.”

I couldn’t help it; I laughed even as tears streamed down my face. “Stop trying to protect me from myself. Trust me to know what I want, just as I trust you to do the same.”

“I do.” He took my hand in his, lifting it to cover his heart. And when he smiled down at me, his eyes were full of warmth. “I do trust you. And I know that I can be overbearing and overprotective at times, but this is all new to me. You are my heart, and I love you.”

I closed my eyes and whispered, “I love you,” basking in the moment as he pressed his lips to mine. It was a kiss that spoke of passion and love, but above all, of promise. A promise of a future together, despite any obstacles we might face.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

“The bath is almost ready,” I called from the oversized bathroom of our luxury suite at the Huxley Grand.

After Olivia had been discharged from the hospital, we’d swung by her house to grab Luna and some essentials before checking in to the hotel. I’d turned down the lights, and gentle music streamed softly from my phone. After everything that had happened with George, I wanted her to feel safe. Relaxed. I didn’t want her mind to be on the attack.

“Coming,” she said, joining me in the bathroom a moment later. She stilled, glancing around with a gasp. “This is beautiful. And so romantic.”

“You like?” I asked.

She smiled. “Yes. So long as you’re joining me.”

“I think that can be arranged. I’m going to order room service first, and then I’ll come. What do you want?”

She chewed on her bottom lip. “I’m not really hungry.”

She’d barely eaten all day. I’d hoped that maybe if I enticed her with her favorite foods, I’d have more luck. But so far, nothing. I wasn’t going to push—for now. Instead, I unwrapped one of her bath bombs and dropped it in the tub.

“Did you—” She peered over the side of the tub, watching as it fizzled and hissed. “Is that one of my bath bombs?”

“Yep.” I grinned. “Thought I’d see what all the fuss was about.”

I sat on the edge of the tub. She removed her shirt before tossing it aside and stepping closer. I removed the sweatpants, then her underwear, scanning her body for any injuries. I hated myself for what had happened this morning, but when I’d told Olivia the truth about George, she’d looked at me with nothing but love and compassion. Her response gave me even more motivation to become the man she thought I was. A man worthy of her.

Unable to resist, I pressed my ear to her stomach and just held her.

She massaged my scalp. “Hey,” she said in a gentle tone.

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