Page 174 of The Dragon 2

I shook my head. “You can’t answer for me. Itcouldchange things.”

The line of his jaw twitched.

“I just. . .would need to see how things go.” My mind raced with unvoiced fears. “I need time. . .”

Could I be a part of a relationship where children from another woman were involved?

Could I stomach the idea of the man I cared for having a whole family with someone else?

Probably, but he would have to be the sort of man that was. . .respectful, honest, responsible, and loving.

Kenji found my hand under the table and his fingers brushed my knuckles and it was both familiar and alien at once. The realization that Kenji might become a father hit me hard. Itmade me realize that our new relationship could become much more complicated than I ever thought.

His eyes narrowed, not in anger, but in that dangerous stillness I’d begun to recognize. The kind of stillness a predator gets before it pounces. “Nyomi. . .you’re mine.”

I didn’t flinch. “If Ichooseto be. That’s the part you keep skipping over.”

His gaze flicked to my lips, then my throat, then back to my eyes. “Are you upset with my confession?”

“I’m not upset so much as I’m a little overwhelmed. There’s a difference.”

“What will you need to not be overwhelmed?”

“Time. Continued information. Honesty.” I shrugged. “It could be all fine if there’s respect to her, the children, and me, but the biggest thing is. . .”

He raised his eyebrows.

“I don’t want to walk in on something that is harmful to another woman. Like. . .I don’t want this to be any bullshit where you are telling her one thing and me something else and you’re playing both sides—”

“That would never happen. What I am telling you is exactly what is going on. When I was messing with her. . .there was no emotion just sex. No love.” He ran his fingers through his hair, and I noticed his fingers shaking a little bit. “And if you need more information right now. You could meet her. I would fly you to her whenever. Whatever you want. I am not that sort of man. I saw what my father put my mother through. I have never wanted to be like him.”

“I hope not because I’ve been alone for these yearsby choice. I do not like drama.”

“There will be no drama, Tora.”

“Good because if I think there’s disrespect towardherormefrom you. . .I’m out of here.”

That line in his jaw twitched again like he was holding himself back from roaring.

I shrugged. “You’re not used to women walking away from you?”

Something flickered in his expression. Something sharp, ancient, and very fucking male. “Women never feel theyneedto walk away from me.”

“But I may.” My voice didn’t shake. “I may walk away. And if I decide this is too much—if I decide that I’m not ready to sign up for a life that includes another woman, potential children, secrets you kept until the soup was cleared—then I will.”

He moved his hand and sat back, barely blinking. When he placed his hands on the table, the light glinted off his ring. “I don’t beg, Tora.”

“I’m not asking you to.”

“But I would beg for you.”

I froze.

“In fact, I beg you to forgive me for taking too long to tell you about the twins. Please. . .I swear there was so much going on that I. . .forgot. . .I know it sounds impossible, but it is the truth.”

I studied him.

“And I beg you to please forgive me because I’m sorry. That will not happen again. I don’t ever want you to feel. . .nervous about us.” His voice wasn't pleading, it was earnest. His eyes weren’t desperate, they held a hope that tugged at the corners of my heart.