“I’m staying with my parents. I can’t stay with you, Luke. We’re not together. We’re supposed to be taking it slow. I don’t want to confuse Dylan,” I argued.

“We are together.” He grabbed my hand and kissed it as he pulled me across the console to sit sideways in his lap, my back to the door, his arm around my waist. I tucked my legs in sideways, knees to the side of his chest, feet to the seat.

“It doesn’t work that way, Luke. We’re not back together just because you say we are. Slow, remember?” I kept my eyes out the window instead of on Luke. He was just too persuasive, I wanted to be with him, but I had to protect myself.

“It does. Because that’s the way it’s going to be, Lily. I’m yours, and I always have been. And you’re mine again. I will wait for you to admit it. But I won’t wait when it comes to keeping you safe.” His eyes blazed as he declared his intentions.

“Calla isn’t yours. She’s not your responsibility,” I started to argue, only to be cut off and floored by his words.

“Not yet, but she will be.” My eyes widened. “Don’t argue with me on this, please. You and the kids should stay with me. You can have your own room, for now.”

“I am staying with my parents. The kids are already there.”

“You’ll end up with me anyway. It doesn’t make sense to move everything twice,” he insisted

“Presumptuous, aren’t you?”

“Lily, we are inevitable. You know it, you’re just scared, and I don’t blame you,” he said as he caressed my cheek. “You’ll trust me again,” he whispered as he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on my lips, his hand on my cheek sliding into my hair to tilt my head back as his other arm tightened around my waist, pulling me even closer. His kiss turned possessive as I melted against his body, pressing into his hard chest. He always could muddle my mind with his kisses. He pulled back to stare into my eyes. “I swear on my life I won’t hurt you,” he murmured, then kissed me again.

“Luke, it’s too soon. It’s too much right now. I’m not ready. Please,” I begged

“In the end, Lily, we’ll be together. Calla will be my daughter, if that is worrying you, forget it. Of course, she’ll know about Will, but she won’t ever be without a father’s love and protection. I’ll adopt her if you let me.”