Page 21 of Dirty Behavior

Dante

Ivy.

I could say her name over and over inside my head and it still wasn't enough. I loved her. Every inch of my soul had been consumed by her.

There was nothing left for me to give, nothing left that I could offer her.

Except complete and total freedom from the tyrant who haunted her dreams at night.

Laying back on the bed, I watched her pick through the small bag of clothing we had.

“What are you looking for?”

“My book, have you seen it?”

“Check the—”

“Got it, it was in the side pocket.” Holding it up, Ivy twisted it back and forth.

“That's what I was about to say.”

Plopping down beside me, she laughed. “Sure you were.” Winking, she leaned in and kissed my cheek.

And I felt that kiss.

It stayed on my skin, turning my insides into hot soup. Never in my life could I have imagined myself loving someone like I loved her.

I wanted to end every night with her beside me, wake every morning to her warm body, and live the life that we carved out for ourselves.

In my mind I pictured us sharing what the world had to offer, and knowing we only needed each other to be happy.

Rolling to my side, I rested my hand under my head and stared up at her. “Can I ask you something?”

Flicking her eyes from the book down onto me, she smiled. “Ask away.”

“When this is all over, when the world is ours and we don't have to run anymore, would you marry me?”

“What?” she asked, lowering her book onto her lap. “Come on, stop playing around.”

“It's a serious question. Would you marry me when this all over?”

“Dante, I'm flattered, really. But I don't think right now is the best time to ask me that.”

“Ivy, I'm not holding a ring, I'm not down on one knee, I just want to know if you would.”

“You're serious?”

“Yes, very.”

“I would, but. . .”

“But, what?”

“Dante,” she said, reaching for my hand. “I'm afraid to say yes.”

You're not afraid.

That's nerves.