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“Fuck, Brooke, find me a guy who wouldn’t come in his pants with you grinding against him and I’ll show you a man who isn’t into women.”

“I’ve got a couple of boyfriends who’d⁠—”

“Do not talk about other men when you’re in my arms,” he growls as he takes the stairs two at a time.

For a minute I think he’s joking. That he isn’t going to deposit me at my bedroom door and say goodnight. Just for a minute I have the pleasure of wondering what it will be like. How much better he’s going to make me feel even though I can’t quite fathom anything better than what we did downstairs.

But then he stops. At my bedroom door. And puts me on my feet, his hands gripping my upper arms until I’m steady. Once he’s satisfied I won’t fall over, he steps back, the smile on his face laced with what I think is regret.

“I had a great time tonight.” He glances at his pants. “A really great time.”

“Me too.” I smile.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turns away.

It takes me a second. A full second of watching him step away before I realize he’s serious. “Wait!”

Reaching out, I grab the back of his shirt.

He doesn’t turn around, but he does look over his shoulder. “What?”

“You mean it? You’re just going to leave me here and go to bed? Alone?”

With a sigh that screams frustration, he pulls from my hold and faces me. “I think it’s best.”

“I don’t.” I cross my arms and am shocked at the urge to stomp my foot. “I don’t want to end tonight like this.”

“If I don’t say goodnight now, I won’t be able to stop myself from taking everything, and I don’t want to do that after today.”

“But I don’t want to be alone.” The words are barely a whisper but he hears them. Steps closer and lifts on hand to cup my jaw.

“You’re not alone. You will never be alone again if you don’t want to be.”

“Then stay with me.” I shake my head. “Let me stay with you. We don’t have to do anything. Just sleep.”

I’m all but begging and I don’t think I’m above getting on my knees. Not with the endorphins from my orgasm fading fast. If he leaves me, if we go to our separate bedrooms, I know I won’t sleep a wink.

“Brooke.”

“I’ll sleep on the floor.”

“Hey.” He steps into my space. “Talk to me.”

“I don’t want to be alone. I know I’m safe. I know he can’t get me now, I just…” I shrug.

He watches me for long seconds, his gaze never leaving mine while he decides what to do. I see it when he decides. The flash of heat in his eyes he quickly douses before pulling me into his arms and wrapping me up tight.

“All right.” His hold loosens and he pushes me to arm’s length. “Get changed, have a shower, whatever you need, then meet me in my room.”

“Thank you.” I smile. “I promise I won’t ask for more.”

“You can always ask for more. I just might not give it to you.” He leans forward, rests his forehead on mine. “I want you to be sure about being with me. You’re it for me, Brooke. If you decide I’m not what you want, then I’ll spend the rest of my life alone.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. You’re not ready to hear what I have to say. I’m trusting you not to jump in because I don’t want either of us hurt and I’m worried we will be.”

“I won’t push. But I know my mind and my heart, and I don’t think I’d regret being with you.” Before he can argue further, I add, “I’ll respect your need to protect me, protect us both. For now.”