“Need me or need to not be alone? Why didn’t you go with Mark? The man you’re dating. The guy that is so much better than I am, and won’t threaten your damn child being in your life. You’ve been with him the entire time I’ve been here, Daze. Don’t ask to come to my fucking bed when you are with him.”

The softness of her face turned until she was frowning, eyebrows furrowed.

“You left me, Kye. Did you think I should drop my entire life the moment you came back? The night you left killed me. I laid in bed for weeks. It took me months to realize you really weren’t coming back. Should I have seen you step back into town and just assume you had any feelings? Should I even assume that now? Maybe you are just looking to sleep together to get you through another six years.”

“That’s bullshit. I would never just want you for sex and you know it. Every part of me died that night. I wanted to die that night,” I said. “Do you somehow think it was easier for me?”

“You’re the one who left! I was here. I never left. You did! Maybe it was easier.”

I could only shake my head, already knowing where this was heading. I would never be what Daisy needed. It didn’t matter how much I wanted to be, there would always be something, or someone, standing in our way.

“I left because I had to. Because your life was going to be fucked if I stayed. Please give me a damn break. What your dad says proves it. I will never be what you need. I am not the perfect one. I am not the guy that is always charming and safe and comfortable. Please, just go to Mark and stop with this, with us, because what I have to offer you is never going to be enough. Not for you, for your dad, for your life. I could cut my heart out and give it to you, and somehow everyone would think I’m trouble because I got blood on the floor. I could love you a thousand times better than anyone in this entire fucking world, but it’s not the right kind of love apparently,” I said, each word lifting the stress and fear off my chest. “And please, give me a fucking break. You know, Daisy. You fucking know I’m still in love with you and you are killing me.” I took a ragged breath, trying to stop myself from getting more enraged. “I will not take anything else away from you. I thought it could be better this time, but I heard everything your dad said. I know what he’s threatening this time, and you can’t lose Bailey because of me. I’ll die, Daisy. I would fucking die. Please don’t ask me to come to my bed because I cannot say no again.”

Cutting out my heart really would feel better because at least I would know the pain wouldn’t last for more than a few minutes, not the rest of my life. I wanted Daisy. I wanted Bailey. I wanted to give them everything, but there would always be someone taking something from her if she chose me, and there was nothing in the world I could give her to make up for that.

I spun back, heading up the next flight of steps. I made it to my apartment door when I heard her footsteps behind me.

“Kye, no, wait,” she said, grabbing my hand. “You aren’t going to give me a chance to say anything?”

“I’ve waited, Daze. I have waited six fucking years and it’s still not enough. I have been here for weeks now and you haven’t said a thing.”

“I’ve wanted to, but I didn’t know what to say. You left. For all I knew, it was because you didn’t love me anymore. I didn’t know until recently the real reason. And you know what, I did try to talk to you. Earlier tonight, I asked to talk, and you blew me off. So you know what, you lied,” she said, a tight smile breaking across her face.

“I’ve never lied to you.”

“But you did. You said that if I broke up with Mark, you would run to my bed like a good mutt. Yet here we are.”

She reached up, her arms sliding around my neck as she pulled me down closer to her. Nothing soothed me more than her touching me, and I really couldn’t deny her any longer.

I ran a finger over her lips and up her jaw. “It’s hard to think when you are touching me.”

“Then don’t think, and kiss me.”

“I can’t.”

Her lips met mine, and I gave up fighting it. There was nothing I could do except fall victim to her and her kiss. The warmth that spread over me still never happened with anyone else, the wanting in the pit of my stomach, the need to have her wrapped around me. It was all there, even stronger than before.

She pulled back, taking a breath and leaning her forehead against mine.

“My dad and Mark are mad because I broke up with Mark earlier. And while I didn’t say it exactly, everyone knows it’s because of you. I’m sure the rumors range from I’m already pregnant with your kid to I’m running away with you this time. My dad is saying nasty things because of all that. I won’t let him take Bailey, but I also don’t want to let him take you again. I want everything you’ve offered of yourself, every single imperfect and perfect part. There was never anything wrong with you, it was always me. I have always been the problem. I have never stood up to people for what I want. I do what they want so I look good in their eyes. But I should have protected you, protected us, back then, and I didn’t, but that won’t happen again.”

“You broke up with him?”

Her lips turned up, and she nodded. “Yeah, earlier today.”

“And it was because you want me?”

“Yes,” she said, her smile widening.

That was all the permission I needed. I leaned down, grabbing her thighs and lifting her up.

“I hope you’re prepared for six years of endless need to be let loose on you because I don’t think I have an ounce of control left in me.”

“Good,” she said, wrapping a hand around my throat as I carried her inside. “Show me exactly how much you have missed me.”

FORTY-SEVENDAISY

The door to the apartment slammed shut behind us as Kye carried me inside. He threw me back on the bed, already pulling at my shoes before I even laid back.

He stood up, rolling his shoulders as he pulled off his shirt.

I would never get over this view of Kye. Tall, tattooed, and smiling down at me. My thighs clenched as he pulled me up and reached for one strap of my dress. He flicked it down, but I stayed covered. His fingers trailed over my collarbone and up my neck, leaving a trail of burning-hot skin. I thought it would be all frantic hands and teeth, but Kye slowed, the soft look in his eyes making me worry.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m very okay. More than okay. I just can’t believe you are here. And all mine,” he murmured. His fingers trailed down my chest, pulling the other strap of my dress down as he went. “Hours to kiss, and lick, and touch every inch of you.”

“Or you can hurry up and get me out of this.”

He leaned down, his mouth covering a nipple. I arched into him, the warmth seeping through the fabric until it was wet.

“Kye,” I gasped. “Dress off. Now.”

His tongue moved up my chest, nipping at my neck as he went. “I’m in no rush. You’ve been teasing me endlessly since I got here. What’s another hour or two?”

“Kye, if you don’t get this off of me right now, I’m going to scream.”

“That’s okay. I like it when you scream.”

“Kye!”

“I like it even more when you say my name,” he said with a groan.

“Please.”

“Little dirty Daisy flower is going to be all calm and sweet now? What happened to tearing me apart to get what you wanted? I recall one time when you literally grabbed my hair, put my head between your legs, and demanded I get you off.”

“I did not,” I said, almost horrified, but I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Did, too.”

“If you really need me to start making you do things to me, I will, but I assumed you knew what you were doing now.”

“To you? Always.” His head dipped again, licking and biting at my other nipple through the fabric. His fingers trailed down, running over my underwear. “I know exactly what you like. I remember every second of what you like, what made you scream, what made you writhe under me.”

“Please, Kye, please hurry. I can’t take waiting any longer.”

“You are sure in a rush for someone staying the entire night with me.”