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Calder looks more shattered than I’ve ever seen him. He’s trembling, his body barely holding itself together as though he’s afraid of falling apart in front of me. I lick my bottom lip, feeling the weight of his vulnerability.

“I forgive you,” I finally say, my voice quieter than I intended.

“No more silence, I promise you that. Right here, right now.” His voice is ragged, full of something raw and real. “Even if you leave, I’ll write to you. I’ll send a dozen letters just to get one back. I’d rather admit that I want you, that I need to talk to you, than stay silent.”

His words are jagged, and I can see how much it’s costing him. He’s not the only one who’s been broken.

“You’re not the only one who will make mistakes.

I will too. I am not perfect.” I glance at his shoulder, pressing my lips to it softly.

“And we all have our own scars. Yours are stories you can tell me later, stories I can help make better—or at least soften. Just stop hiding from me. Stop running before we’ve even had a chance. ”

“I’ll... work on that,” he says, his voice shaky, as if he’s still struggling to make sense of it all.

“Don’t pull away from me when I’m choosing to be with you. It’s my choice too, and you don’t have to protect me from myself.” I can’t help but tease, trying to ease the tension. “Except with the bears. I’m not fond of them.”

“So, will you stay?”

“I...” I glance toward my Airbnb, my mind spinning. “I could check if the B it’s reverence.

He said he needed to worship me before we had sex, and in this kiss, I feel him doing just that. His hand pulls me closer, his lips moving over mine as if he’s memorizing every part of me. I can feel his relief and joy in the way he kisses me, like he’s finally found something worth holding onto.

“Do you trust me enough to let me take you to my place?” His voice is soft, but the weight of his question lingers in the air.

I nod slowly, my heart beating faster. “Yes.”

He kisses me again, slow and deep.

“To spend the night?”

“Yes,” I say, standing on my toes to steal another kiss, then letting him guide me to my car. He pauses, opens the door for me, and holds it until I’m settled inside. I smile softly. “I’m following you, Calder. But you have to trust me, too.”

“I do, angel. More than I’m comfortable with,” he says, leaning down to kiss me one last time before walking to his truck.