Page 83 of A Vampire's Pain
“What?!” I asked, shocked.
“I don’t treat people well.”
“That’s not true.
“Yes, it is. Why do you think your brother doesn’t want us to be together?” he asked.
“Because Damon sees the old you,” I said. “I see the person you are now.”
“And I still hurt people,” he whispered.
“Gabriel, tell me what is going on with you.”
“I don’t deserve you.”
“Stop this!”
I sat up higher and looked down at him rather displeased. I crossed my arms, and he continued to run his hand down the side of my body. Wherever he touched me, it felt like he burned me a little, but I didn’t ask him to stop.
“You are NOT bad!” I said.
“But I am.”
“No, you are one of the kindest and funniest, and sweetest people I have ever met,” I said.
“You haven’t met a lot of people though,” he said.
I knew what he was doing. I could see the same signs in myself. He was pushing me away because he thought it was better than letting someone close.
“No, but I know what kindness is, and I know you are not a bad person. You have made mistakes. We all make mistakes, but that doesn’t mean we can’t change!” I told him harshly because I was done with his bullshit. “Are you listening?!”
“Val …”
“You want me, and I want you, and I am not allowing you to push me away!” I told him.
He seemed surprised that I had seen through his little act.
“Why not?” he asked. “You can still run home.”
“And what would I have there?”
“Your brother,” he said.
“Yes, but I want to be with you. I want my mate. I might have been hesitant in the beginning, but I know what I want now,” I said. “And that is you. So, act all I’m-the-worst-person-in-the-world-you-can-do-so-much-better all you want, I am not going.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because I am not.”
“I have done some shitty things. Even to the ones I care about.”
“Have you hurt me?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “Not yet.”
“You really think you would?”
He shrugged a little.
