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“My world is breaking right now, Shae. Things with my dad…they’re not good.”

I frown, searching his features for more of an explanation.

“I’m sorry,” I say, and he blinks slowly.

“No,I’msorry. I haven’t treated you like you matter to me, so no wonder we’re back at square one. No wonder you’re confused.”

Soft, his touches are so soft, setting me on edge.

“I just don’t want to be hurt,” I murmur.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Shae. All I want to do is protect you. I’ll doanythingto protect you.”

Soft kisses touch my eyelids, my cheeks. I’m at a loss for words.

“Shae…you have the power to completely break me, so now that I’ve shown you it all, I need to know if you want this. Not just so we can move forward, but for self-preservation. You need to decide.”

My heart hammers in my chest as I process his words. This is the moment he’s been alluding to, the ultimatum he’s been building toward. It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

“Storm,” I say, my voice steadier than I expect. “What you’re asking of me feels big.”

I’m scared.

He runs the side of his face against mine, and the sensation of his bristly five o’clock shadow is downright erotic when it rasps against my cheek.

“What I’m askingisbig, and I mean it when I say I don’t want to hurt you. But it’s clear you’ll trust me with your body, but not your heart. And I’m a greedy man. I want both, Sweetness.”

My breath freezes in my chest, and he pulls back, his intent to kiss me clear on his face. But when he takes in my reaction, he stops. The side of his jaw ticks for a second before he releases a deep breath, looking down at where our chests touch.

After long, thudding heartbeats, he releases me. My body immediately yearns for the contact, and yet my brain is thankful for the space to breathe.

“Take all the time you need, Shae, but you know where I stand. I’ll be here, waiting for your answer.”

When he opens the front door, my mind is a whirlwind of emotions. Can I trust him? Can I take the leap and risk it all for a chance at something real with Storm Sandoval—a man who’s gone to the extreme for me?

This is insane, Shae. Completely insane.

“But until then, I’m giving you space. I want you to know you’re making this decision—whatever decision that may be—from a place of clarity. And if you’re feeling even a fraction like I do, I know it’s difficult to think when I’m around.”

He looks so understanding, so tender, soexhaustedthat I start to feel a little bad about all of this. But then I remember this is a messy, messy situation, and Storm Sandoval could have anyone he wants. I remember there’s another person in the mix, demanding his time and attention.

Secrets. Ghosts.

…Half-truths?

“Okay, Storm,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest as I take a step to the side. My position is almost like I’m holding myself together.

Maybe I am.

Without another word, Storm kisses me on the forehead and guides me out the door with a gentle hand. When he knocks on the apartment across the hall, a vaguely familiar man opens nearly immediately.

“This is my best friend I was telling you about. Riale will take you home safely.”

He gives his friend a hard look—one that telegraphs a whole monologue without uttering a word. Riale tilts his chin down in acknowledgement, and Storm places one last chaste kiss to the side of my face.

“Don’t keep me waiting long, Sweetness,” he murmurs in my ear.

And then he’s gone.