“Does this feel like obligation to you? Does this feel like I’d be with you because of honor and not because I want to be with you?” His Italian accent curled around his words even more than normal.

I responded to his touch, desperate to match his movements. Greedy for more, but first, I had something to tell him.

“Go,” he said gruffly. “Go before there’s no turning back.”

He released his hold of me, framing his hands on each side of me on the counter. His veins were prominently on display, and the wood beneath his palms wouldn’t win if he stayed like that much longer, trying to hold back to keep from giving in.

“No turning back from what?”

“You know exactly what,” he rasped, his breathing picking up. “Go,” he pleaded again.

I didn’t budge, and how could I?

“Ask me to stay.” I brought my hand to his chest. His heart was racing double the speed of my own. “All you have to do is ask me, and I’ll stay.”

He lifted his chin, eyes shifting to the coffered ceiling. His throat muscles tensed before he slowly walked his focus back to my face.

“I can’t ask that of you.” He shook his head. “Because now maybe it’s me worried you’re the one who’ll feel obligated to stay.”

25. Juliette

Chapter 25

Juliette

I barely had a chance to process what he said before my phone rang.

He pushed off the counter and reached around and removed the device that had the worst timing ever from my back pocket.

He offered it to me, dropping his gaze between us to Easton’s name flashing on the screen.

“You should take that.” His gravelly tone sent me closer to him as he walked back a step.

I sent Easton’s call to voicemail. “Can I at least address what you said to me first?”

“I’d rather you not.” His jaw twitched, and he covered it with his palm, eyes on the floor.

“Look at me.” The command burst from my lips. “Look me in the eyes and tell me you actually believe what you said.”

Goose bumps dotted my arms as he finally met my eyes.

“You don’t think I’ve spent these last seventeen years dreaming about one day bumping into the man who gave me the best night of my life, never mind the miracle of our son?”

He quietly stared at me, his hand departing from his jaw the only indication he’d heard me.