Page 128 of Wicked Dares
I pull back. “You’ve already given me too much. I can’t accept anything else.”
He flashes me a boyish grin. “Too late. The other half of the money I promised is in your account. And you made me fall for you, so there’s that, too.”
My breath catches so hard it almost hurts. I stare at him, completely wrecked by how casually he can say something capable of changing my entire world.
“Levi.”
“I know.”
Every time I think I have my emotions under control, he gives me something more to grip me.
After Reece, I promised myself I’d never let another man close enough to hurt me again. But Levi Vale found a way past every wall I built.
He didn’t even force his way in.
He made me want to open the door to my heart all by myself.
“So, um…” he mutters, suddenly looking nervous. “I’m going to England in three weeks for a six-month secondment.”
The blood drains from me.
“You’re leaving?” I gasp.
He nods slowly. “But I want you to come with me.”
My eyes snap wide.
“I figured it wouldn’t interfere with your work. You still have to set up the office. We can hire people to do that and do… whatever you want. And if you ever needed to fly back, I have a jet.”
“You’re serious?”
“I am. But I understand if it’s too much for you. I understand ifthis—you and me—is it for you.” His gaze sharpens. “But I won’t accept it. This isn’t the end for me. To be honest, I think I always knew that.”
“You did?”
“Yes. So, no… I won’t stop chasing you, even if a million years pass by. I’ll still follow you. Because you’re mine and I love you. And I won’t let you go.”
All the joy in this world could never compare to this moment. “Oh, Levi.”
He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “I want you to choose me when you’re ready. When you can trust that I’d never hurt you and I’d spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy. Choose me when you believe that. And you know I’m not like your ex.”
I release a shallow breath, and with it, the last of my resistance fades away.
I smile at the lightness it leaves behind in my heart and nod.
“I choose you. I choose you now.” My heart opens, and all the confliction I felt is no longer there. “I already believe it. I already trust you. And you can’t be like him, because there is no one like you. That’s why I love you.”
Something loosens in his face, becoming more open, and he looks me over in… shock.
He reaches out to touch my face and traces my skin as if he’s checking I’m real.
“Butterfly.”
“I’m going with you.” I smile, leaning into his touch.
His eyes brighten. “You’re going with me?”
“Yes. I’m a butterfly, remember? So, I’ll follow you wherever you go.”
