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He gives a start and turns toward me. Those bright blue eyes, wide in surprise, have dark circles under them and a hint of red to his whites. I want to go to him and tell him I’m a cure for sleepless nights, but hold myself back.

“Rory…” he stammers, leaving his jaw hanging open.

I can’t fight my smile. “You did it.”

The corner of his mouth ticks up, and he tucks his robe tighter around him, looking adorably self-conscious. “Um. Yeah. I did.”

Stepping closer, I hold out the roses and drink him in. He looks at them like they’re made of glass, taking them from me as though he’s not sure he should.

“What…what are you doing here?”

Does he realize it’s the first time he’s looked at me while speaking since that first day on the yacht? It tells me everything I need to know—there’s still hope.

“Did you think I could stand the thought of you here all alone with how fucking proud I am of you after what you just pulled off?”

His cheeks go pink, and his gaze drops immediately to the flowers. When his teeth bite into his lower lip, I cup his faceand brush his cheek with my thumb, hoping he’ll stop abusing himself over one well-deserved little compliment. “The way you blush for me will never get old. I don’t even want to know if that means no one’s ever told you all the wonderful things you need to hear.”

His chest heaves on a gasp, but his eyes come back to me. “You…you gave me twenty percent.”

There’s a lost, vulnerable look in his expression that’s a veritable magnet to my heart. Leaning in, I brush my lips over his and murmur. “I should have given you more.”

“What? Why?”

“It was your deal, Charlie. I don’t need the money.” I can’t remember the last time I felt self-conscious around someone, but maybe that’s what he needs to see. Moving my hands to his hips, I draw closer and press another kiss to the corner of his mouth, still in awe that he’s letting me. “I was being selfish because I was worried that if I gave you more, you might quit on me.”

He scoffs and his face goes bright red, but he doesn’t move away. Reaching one hand up, he strokes one of the flower buds with his thumb and mumbles, “Twenty percent isn’t selfish.”

I watch his nervous reverence of the flowers, and the way he can’t bring himself to look at me after that veiled compliment. My heart skips a beat, hoping it means what I think it does.

“You gave me something before you left. Can you tell me why?” I ask delicately.

That has his gaze flicking to mine. The fear is back, and I hate myself for causing it, but I have to try. I have faith in him. I know he can do it.

“I…I just…”

“What?”

“I…needed to…” His gaze canvases my face like he’s praying I’ll provide him with the answer.

“Needed what, Charlie?”

Cheeks ruddy, he lets out a breath like he was holding it. “You.”

I can’t believe how much I’ve been waiting and wishing to hear that. Kneading the fabric at his hips, I try to gather my composure. We’re not quite finished yet.

“Neededme orwantedme?”

“I…wanted you with me,” he stammers, but then lets out in a rush as his gaze darts around the room, “I…I don’t know why. I just—”

Angling his chin back to face me, I whisper, “I thinkIdo.”

The way he blinks at me in confusion is so fucking pure and sad at the same time. “Why?” he asks, sounding like he’s completely lost.

Oh, Charlie. My sweet Charlie.

Lowering my hands to the tie on his robe, I tug it open. My shiny gift reveals itself when the two sections part.

“Ask me to stay first,” I tell his neck, brushing my lips over his pulse. It flutters under my touch. I can practically hear him blushing, so I play unfair and add, “I don’t have anywhere to go.”