Page 46 of Niko's Printsessa
“And humiliated, hurt.”
“I wanted you, Becca. I did.”
As much as I want him to repeat that sentence, I have to get this out. “And for the last how many years we’ve bickered with each other. I’ve hated it, but at least I understood it. Understood my role.” I sigh, “and now I’m here and we’ve done…. you’ve done. I’ve done….. Shit.”
“Did I hurt you?”
“Not physically, no.”
“Fuck, Bec, don’t you trust me?”
“To protect me from stalkers? Yes. But, my heart… I don’t know if I can trust myself.”
“I don’t understand. You don’t trust yourself how?”
“I don’t want to be another Veronica.”
“Veronica?”
“Do I have to spell it out! I’m terrified to fall in love with you!”
His breath catches as his mouth falls open. He stands and rakes his hands through his hair. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”
My body stiffens as he paces back and forth.
“I’m such an idiot.” He grabs a paperweight and I brace for him to throw it at the wall, but he doesn’t. He takes a deep breath, sets the object down and stares at me. His expression hard to read.
“Becca, I screwed up. This is such a mess.”
I expected it, but my heart still shatters. I beeline towards the door of his office, muttering, “it’s okay. We’re good. Let’s just forget everything.”
He grabs my hand and turns me toward him, but I can’t bear to look at his face. “Please don’t mention this to anyone. Can we just pretend it never happened?”
“No.”
“Please, Niko.”
“No.”
His hands gently cup my cheeks. “Look at me, Becca.” His beautiful dark eyes search mine for something. “I’m sorry.”
I open my mouth but he gives me a look that no one would argue with.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you how I felt years ago. At the very least, I should’ve told you last night. Baby, Becca, myPrintsessa. I want you. Not just for one night, one week, or some temporary sexfest. I don’t know what this is, but I don’t want to put an expiration date on it.”
I think my heart stopped but somehow I’m still standing. “Niko,” I breathe.
“We’re both new to relationships, and I’ve gone about this, us, all wrong. I’ve been treating you like a one-night-stand, but I don’t want that. I want more. I want to give you everything. I want you, and I need you for as long as you’ll have me.” He sighs, “Look, Bratva men never do anything right or normal. But, if you’re willing to give me another chance,” his sheepish smile locks hold of my heart, “I want to try this again.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I want to love you, Becca.”
I shake my head, unsure I heard him correctly.
He takes my hand and leads me towards the door, “Come on.”
“Where? What?”