Page 131 of Tantalizing Kings

Chapter 34

Sadie

When I wake up thenext morning, my head is killing me. I feel like I have the worst hangover, but I didn’t even drink.

I’m sitting up in bed, eyes closed, as a wave of nausea hits me. “Fuck,” I groan, putting my head in my hands.

“You okay?” a gruff, sleepy voice sounds from next to me.

I jolt a little in surprise and look down to see Collin peering up at me with concern in his eyes. Right. Last night hits me all at once, and my stomach rolls.

Tears sting my eyes as I look away from Collin. “I’m fine,” I answer, my voice small. But I’m not. For the first time in a long time I feel worn down, a dreaded feeling weighing down on me like a heavy blanket.

“Sadie, Lollipop, you're not. And it’s okay to not be okay. Last night was traumatic, and you’ve been through a lot.” I look down at him, tears spilling from my eyes, and launch myself into his arms. “Shhh,” he murmurs against the top of my head, kissing my hair as I break apart in his arms.

I’ve been holding so much in for a long time, I knew it was only a matter of time before I broke. Collin holds me, rubbing my back and whispering sweet words in my ear.

He’s perfect, and he cares about me. That much he’s shown. “I’m sorry,” I croak out once my tears have slowed.

“For what? You have nothing to be sorry about.”

“You’ve been so good to me last night and now. I don’t deserve your kindness.”

“Enough of that,” he growls. “You deserve the whole damn world. And I’d give it to you too if I could.”

“I’m a mess, Collin. You shouldn’t have to deal with that.” I shake my head against his chest.

“You're not a mess. You're perfect.”

I snort. “No, I’m not. Trust me, I’m not.”

“To me, you are, and there's no way you can convince me otherwise. Sorry, it’s a waste of breath.”

I smile, shaking my head. “You're crazy.”

“Only about you,” he chuckles.

I should tell him yes, that I’d be his girlfriend. I like him, a lot. He’s good to me, and even though he’s my TA and guidance counselor, I know there are ways around that if we tried. He would treat me right, give me the world.

But I can’t say yes, I can’t bring myself to tell him how I feel about him. Because I can’t give him what he wants: my heart. Because right now, it’s feeling things for more than one guy.

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