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.“That’s not all.There’s something else I need to say.”He hesitated, and I noticed something I’d never seen happen to Dan before.Vulnerability descended on him.He took a deep breath.“I’ve missed you, Gracie.”I paused for a moment, not trusting I’d heard him correctly.“You’ve missed me?”He nodded, and his jaw muscle twitched as he waited for my response.My heart started to thud and I half-expected it to jump out my chest.I stood up, shaking my head.“I can’t do this, Dan.”He stood up as well, towering above me.“Hey, what’s wrong?”“You are.You can’t just turn up after all this time and tell me you’ve missed me.I’ve been to hell and back, and you weren’t there for me.”He flinched.“I know.I’m sorry.I was wrong to stay away.”I took some deep breaths to calm myself.“It’s okay.Really, I’m fine now.But I need to make sure I stay that way.You coming in and out of my life won’t help.”“Gracie, I promise you, I will never hurt you again.” He reached towards me, but I stepped back.“Please, Gracie, don’t push me away.”“I need you to leave now.” I managed to sound like I meant it.Hurt flashed across Dan’s features as he reached for his backpack and slung it over his shoulder.I couldn’t bear to look at him any longer and forced myself to cross the room.I took a deep breath and pulled the door handle down.Heart pounding, I braced myself to close the door after he walked out.I heard his footsteps behind me, but instead of walking out, he stopped short.I jumped as he raised his arm above my head and slammed the door shut.I spun round.He kept his arm raised above me, holding the door firmly closed, and moved nearer so I was wedged.His eyes smouldered as he spoke.“I know this is crap timing - you’ve got so much going on in your head right now - but I can’t leave until you tell me how you feel.”My breath came fast and shallow, and I couldn’t find any words.“Because I know how I feel about you, Gracie.I’m in love with you.”I tried to swallow down the emotion clawing at my throat.His eyes never left my face.“The time we’ve spent apart has been so hard.It’s made me realise I need to be with you.”His looks were an unfair advantage and I squeezed my eyes shut to try and break the spell.I felt his hot breath on my cheek, and it turned my insides to liquid.“Dan, please don’t do this,” I managed to pant.I only opened my eyes when I felt him back off.He hadn’t moved far.“I’m sorry.I don’t mean to pressure you.It’s okay if you don’t love me back.”I ran shaky fingers through my hair, pulling it forwards.“But I’m not leaving unless you tell me you don’t love me,” he added.“I, uh, I don’t know what to say.”He moved forward and placed his hand gently on my face, his fingers grazed my cheek as he swept the hair back off my face.“All you have to do is tell me how you feel.”What I felt was electricity flowing from his fingertips and into my skin.Something about the way he looked at me made my insides melt and I caught my breath.He must have noticed a shift in my expression because he let his backpack slip down his other arm and crash to the floor.Without breaking eye contact he reached around my waist and instinctively I wrapped myself around him, allowing him to lift me up.I looked into his eyes, and I knew I was past resisting him.He leant forward and pressed his mouth to mine and I felt like I’d never be able to get enough of him.I ran my fingers through his silky hair and down the smooth skin at the back of his neck.I felt his strong arms supporting me as we kissed, and we stayed like that until I couldn’t breathe anymore.When I paused for air, Dan spoke, his breath catching wisps of my hair.“Tell me how you feel.”I couldn’t believe he needed words.I leaned in to kiss him again, but he frowned and his voice took on a more demanding tone.“Tell me, Gracie.”My eyes flicked from his lips to his eyes.I put my hands on either side of his face, and traced his jaw line.“I love you, Dan.I’ve always loved you.”He closed his eyes and let a deep breath escape from his lips.Then he began kissing me again, more urgently this time.I was overwhelmed by my hunger for him, and tried to push myself harder against his body.I felt his muscles lengthen and contract as he changed his hold on me and began walking towards the bedroom.He eased me onto the bed, and I got a jolt of déjà-vous.But this time was so different from the last time he was in my bedroom.He didn’t take his eyes off me as he pulled my hoodie up and over my head.I shivered as the cool air hit my skin and folded my arms, rubbing at them.He gently uncrossed them again.“You’re beautiful.Don’t hide yourself.”He began to unbutton his shirt, revealing a tanned, firm body [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]