Page 34 of Stay With Me

What are you doing, Ava? Why are you pushing him away after he just said you were his?

Because I don’t want to hurt more than I already do. Because I don’t want to see the look in his eyes when he realizes there can’t be anything between us. That it was all a nice little fantasy, but reality is here, knocking at the door.

I’m spiraling, not sure what to do. I want to finish out the week and enjoy my time with him, but I know if I’m in his presence when things end, I’ll get on my knees and beg him to stay. To stay with me. To love me. To choose me. But that’s an impossible choice to make, and it’s unfair of me to leave it all on him.

I can’t make him choose.

Chapter 12

Roman

She’s ignoring my calls and texts.

When I came back to my hotel room, I had a grin so wide my damn face hurt. I was happy. I told Ava she was mine, and she agreed.

So why, when I was done with my shower, did I text her and get nothing back? Yes, I knew she was being an amazing friend and watching over Tasha, but Tasha was passed out when I left.

I let it go, telling myself she was tired. I didn’t want to be one of those obsessed, clingy men. Ava is a grown woman, and it was late.

That was two days ago. It’s Saturday night now, and I leave tomorrow. I’ve been calling and texting her, but... nothing. She hasn’t responded.

I’m not one to get upset, to worry about a woman. If they no longer had any interest in me, I move on. It’s life. I can’t force someone to be with me if they don’t want to.

However, I know that’s not the case with Ava. Something happened that freaked her out, and I need to know what.

Did I come on too strong? Was it too soon, too fast?

Fuck, I didn’t mean to scare her. My feelings for her... they are just so damn intense. She’s mine, and I’m not letting her get away that easily.

So, that’s why I’m standing outside her apartment like a fucking creeper.

Tasha texted me that she was going out with some friends but promised we would get lunch tomorrow before I left. When I asked her if Ava was going, she told me no, that Ava was staying in tonight, something about being sick.

Maybe that’s why she hasn’t been answering? But if she’s sick, I want to be there to take care of her.

The idea of her laying in bed, sick and in pain, doesn’t sit right with me.

The cool night air blows around me as I make my way up the front steps of the apartment building.

Finding their apartment number, I press the buzzer button and wait.

“Hello?” her sweet voice fills my ears, making my heart rate pick up and my cock twitch.

“I know you’ve been avoiding me, Princess. So, how about you let me up, and we talk about this.” I wait and listen for her to respond. But nothing. “Fucking hell,” I mutter, grabbing my phone from my pocket.

I’m about to start blowing up her phone like a crazy person when I see her stepping into the lobby.

Slowly, I put my phone away, watching her walk towards me. She looks so damn beautiful in a simple cream-colored cashmere sweater and black leggings.

She chews on her lower lip, dark circles under her eyes. She looks like she’s been crying. A low growl rumbles in my chest at the thought of her upset and crying.

Hesitantly, she opens the door. “What are you doing here?” she asks me, her voice low and soft.

I don’t give her a chance to change her mind and push my way into the building. Her wide blue eyes stare up at me as I tower over her. “Want to tell me why, just the other night, we agreed that you are mine and I am yours, and now you’re ghosting me?” I growl, my anger getting the better of me. “I love you, Ava, and I’m sorry if that freaked you out. I’m sorry if that was too much, too fast. But if that is the case, then we can talk about it like adults. I know I’m a lot older than you, but you’re not a child, so don’t pull some high school bullshit on me and ignore me.”

Her eyes well with tears, and I instantly feel like an asshole. “It’s not that.” Her voice wobbles. “I love you, Roman. I do.” She starts to cry, and my heart cracks in half.

Sighing, I pull her into my arms, holding her close to my body. Her vanilla scent fills my nose, calming me immensely. “Then talk to me, Ava. Please.”