Page 36 of Stay With Me

Maybe I’m fooling myself. Maybe it’s not love, just really strong feelings. Like I enjoy being with Ava, who I am when I’m with her, and how she makes me feel.

I’ve only been with her for a week, right? I can’t truly fall in love with her that quickly.

Yet, the idea of never seeing her again, never holding her in my arms as we cuddle together, just finding comfort in the silence and each other’s warmth, guts me to my core.

The idea of me leaving here tomorrow and moving on with my life... I don’t like it. I don’t even want to think about it.

The thought of her being with another man makes me want to murder someone. The thought of touching another woman makes me want to puke.

“I’m not ready either. But it’s time, Roman. We just weren’t meant to be. Maybe in another life.”

“But you’re mine,” I growl, panic clawing at my chest. I’m a stupid fool for letting myself get to this point. It was only supposed to be for the week. Nothing but sex and a good time. Why did I fucking have to go and want more? Why did I set myself up for heartache?

I keep myself closed off for a good reason.

That’s what I should have done. But I can’t bring myself to regret what we did or how I fell for her.

The voice inside of me is telling me to fight for her. To tell her fuck everything, that she’s mine, and I’m never letting her go.

Maybe I could plead with Tasha, ask her to see reason. Maybe if I tell Tasha how much I care for Ava, she will change her mind.

“I’m not.” Ava shakes her head, crying harder. I just want to pull her into my arms and tell her everything’s going to be alright. But right now, that feels like the furthest thing from the truth.

I’m going to convince her. Before I leave here, I’m going to have Ava agreeing to sit down and talk to Tasha with me. I can’t walk away from Ava without at least trying to fight for her, can I?

“One more night,” I plead with her, just needing her to let me stay with her for a little while longer. “Let me have you for one more night. Please.”

She chews on her bottom lip, wiping her tears with the sleeve of her shirt. “Okay.” She nods. “Stay with me. One more night.”

I plan on reminding her what it’s like to be with me. The pure fucking magic we make when we’re in the same room. How she feels against me, me inside her. I will show her just how much I love her, giving her a reason to fight alongside me. I know she’s afraid of what Tasha will say—I am, too—but I need her to fight for us, to at least try. And if we do, and it still can’t go our way, the fact is, we would have done everything we could have to be together without destroying our lives in the process.

She’s my love, my Princess. I can’t let her go. By the time I’m done with her, she won’t be able to say no.

Chapter 13

Ava

I’m trying really hard not to cry right now, but it’s impossible. Knowing that after tonight, I won’t get to see Roman, to be with him, to feel this touch, his kisses, his warmth... it crushes me.

How can someone fall in love in a week? I’m not sure, but I’m starting to believe with my whole heart that I’m so in love with this man that I won’t be able to move on. And that’s making it so much harder to end things.

I want to talk to Tasha so bad, to tell her how much her dad means to me. But if I do and she doesn’t react well, like back at the restaurant, I’d lose her and cause a rift between her and her father. I would hate myself. I can’t do it.

“Don’t cry, Princess.” Roman’s devastated face just makes me cry harder. He wraps me up in his strong arms, holding me close to his body. I wish I could stay like this forever. Burying my face into his chest, I inhale his musky cologne. He smells so good, so calming.

When I’m with Roman, I feel safe. I feel loved, wanted, and so damn beautiful. This man has ruined me in all the best ways. No other man will ever compare. And I don’t want them to. I’m not even going to entertain the idea of being with another man.

“Come here.” He grabs my arms and wraps them around his shoulders before sliding his hands under my thighs. He lifts me up, and I cling to him, trying to mold my body to his as he carries me through the apartment and into my room.

He sits at the edge of the bed and just holds me. Eventually, my crying stops, and my breathing evens out.

Then it’s just the sound of our hearts beating in sync while his hand rubs up and down my back.

“I got you, baby,” he murmurs, kissing the top of my head. “Everything is going to be okay.”

He’s wrong. Nothing is okay.

But if all I have with him is tonight, I’m not going to let it go to waste.