Page 169 of Come Back To Me

Dean leans to me, lightly kissing my shoulder.

I look to him as he moves back, our eyes and souls connecting. “I will always choose you because you will always be my VP. But whatever you think you’re protecting me from, you’re only making my determination to find out more, worse.”

He sighs, dejected. “I know. I’m making this so much worse for everyone.”

“Call me selfish, but I don’t care abouteveryone. I only care aboutyoubeing with us.”

Fretful eyes jump between mine and my bump. “My family comes first, you know that.”

“I do. But sometimes, you have to put yourself firstforyour family.”

Dean lifts his arm, and I nestle my head against his chest, wrapping my arm around his front. “I just want to see you free,”I whisper. “From your demons. The pain. All of it. I want to make you happy. To make you feel so loved, you never doubt yourself ever again.”

“Babe.” I hold him tighter as he strokes his hand up and down my spine. His chest rises as he takes in a breath. “This shit with the club, I need to put an end to it. Once it’s done, we’re free.”

I look up, still in his arms. Taking him in, I see the conflict in his eyes. “Why do you need to end it?”

He sighs. “We didn’t know what we were getting into,” he locks eyes with me, “but Iwillget us out of it. Once that’s done, you and me, babe... we go.”

I sniff back my tears. “What’s the business?”

He shakes his head. “You’ll have to trust that I’ll tell you when I can.”

Trust. I’ve been holding this in. “Idotrust you, Dean. But you need to get this done before the baby gets here. If that means I need to step back to let you finish this, then that’s what I’ll do.”

“Step back? Babe, you can’t leave now,” his voice raises in panic.

“I’m notleaving. I just… I need to let you breathe.” I feel him tense. “With me around, you’ll do everything you can to protect me, when what you need to do is get business done. And I need to think about me.” I drop my head, my mouth turning dry with what I’m about to say. “I thought I saw Jack today. That’s how crazy I’m making myself.”

Dean sighs, rubbing his eyes.

“I’m sorry, I should never have followed you.”

He turns, and I sit up when his strong hands cup my face. “No, I’m sorry. Tell me what you want, Mads. How can I make this better?”

I place my hand on his chest. “When everybody else needs you, I want you to choose yourself.”

His face pulls tight, his eyes darting between mine.

A few moments of silence then pass. Dropping my face, I push myself closer to him, my hands holding his leather tightly.

As if trying to keep his emotions in check, he runs his fingers over his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I wish it was that simple.”

“I know. But, perhaps if I put myself first, you'll see it can be done.” He searches my face when I look up to him. “The last thing I want to do is leave your side, but we have more to think about now.”

He squeezes me into him, splaying a hand on my bump, making me sit back. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted, for you to put yourself first.” Dean pushes his lips to my head. “Although now that you are, I think I prefer you challenging me.”

He chuckles as I laugh. “I love challenging you. But this is me thinking about you. About us.”

He smiles, giving me a wink. “Strongest woman I know.”

I push my lips to his, sitting up straighter, making him kiss me deeper.

He holds my face tight, his thumb stroking my cheek.

“And you’ll do it? Get what you need done so we can be free?” My lips brush against his as I ask.

“Have I ever let you down, babe?” His breath is hot against my face. I can feel his need—his desire to love me taking over. He holds me close to him, turning my head, lowering me to the bed as his gaze cruises over my face.

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