Page 112 of Too Sweet
“Her?” The veins on my neck pulse, and my jaw works tight circles. “What are you talking about?”
“Courageous, adventurous, confident...” she lists quietly. “That’s what you want, but that’s not me. I’m none of those things.”
“Mia—”
“I tried, Nico,” she continues, not letting me cut in. “I tried to be the woman you want, but I’m not her.”
“Youare. Your only problem is your self-esteem’s so fucking low. You don’t believe in yourself.”
“I’m none of the things you want. I’m not brave or—”
“You are. You just don’t see it. Mia, you jumped out of a plane with me. That takes a hell of a lot of courage, especially for someone afraid of flying.”
I grab her waist, haul her into my arms and sit back on the bed, maneuvering her until she straddles me.
“You’re confident, baby. You don’t shout, you’re not aggressive or rude, but you’ve put me in my place more times than I can count. And you’re the most adventurous person I know. I push you out of your comfort zone in bed, and you enjoy it.” I take her teary face in my hands, wiping her cheeks with my thumbs. “You’re all I ever wanted.”
She sighs, resigned to whatever lie she fed herself. “You were right that day in the cab. All I bring is trouble, Nico. Trouble and drama, and everything you don’t need. I don’t have anything good to offer. I don’t complete you the way you complete me.”
She has no fucking clue...
I had no idea I was living in a box until she came along, full of everything I didn’t know I needed, and let me out.
“You make me a better man, Mia. You calm me down, tame my fucked-up personality, and show me that life’s not just about work.” I pull her into my chest, wrapping my arms around her. “You’re not self-sufficient, baby, but that’s why we work so well. You want your man to be a man. You want metotake care of you, and that’s exactly what I want to do.” I stroke her hair, kissing the side of her head. “I’m sorry I made you feel you had to change. You don’t. You’re perfect.”
“I’m too young. Don’t deny it, Nico. You said I can’t talk about college, like you’re trying to forget I’m ten years younger.”
I push her away enough to see her face. “You’re right. I hate that you’re so young, but only because I need to take things slow. You’re nineteen, Mia. I have to stop myself making plans you’re not ready for yet. You need to finish college. You need to have fun so you won’t have any regrets.”
There’s something disturbing about our relationship. We’ve not been dating long, but I feel it in my bones that she’sit. I love everything about her. Despite spending seven months with Kaya, the feelings can’t compare.
I can easily picture Mia in my future in a beautiful white dress with a ring on her finger. I never thought about the future with Kaya, but Mia’s so deep under my skin I can’t shake her. I can’t cap my feelings, and I don’t fucking want to.I’m twenty-nine. I’ve met enough women to know Mia’s the one.
She sniffles softly, her green eyes dull. “What Jake did... I can’t take that back, Nico. Once I tell you—”
“Nothing will change. You’re mine,” I emphasize, holding her face so she can’t look away. “Do you understand? I love you, baby. I’ll always want you.” I close the distance between our lips, slipping my tongue inside her warm, sweet mouth.
She stills but doesn’t push me away. Her trembling fingers weave into my hair, and in a heartbeat, she melts against me the way she always does, like she’s feeding off my dominance to calm down.
“I love you more.” She breaks the kiss long enough to say it, then resumes the slow tempo of our lips working together, every tease of her tongue and touch of her fingers designed to show how much she cares.
I flip her over, covering her frail body. She’s locked between my arms, her moves limited the way she loves most. She told me she never felt safer than that day I held her immobile while teaching her self-defense.
“Mine,” I say in her mouth. “Always mine, baby. Say it.”
Another one of my favorite barely-a-suggestion kind of smiles blooms across her lips. Tears no longer well in her eyes and the tightness clutching my chest ebbs away.
She’ll be okay.
She can’t see it, but Cody was right last year. Sheisa tough one. Regardless how much hurt is thrown her way, she’s still smiling. Still trying to find happiness.
“Use your words, Mia. Tell me you’re mine.”
“Always yours.”
“Good girl. Never doubt me. Never lie to me, and never hide things from me again. Promise.”
She lifts her hand to caress my face: a move I’ve grown fucking addicted to. The cautious tenderness she radiates drugs my entire structure.
