It's About Time (Blossom Peak #4)(109)

“Okay…”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I arch a brow at him. “Tell me what’s going on with your dad.”

His brows lift. “What do you mean?”

“I’m not stupid, Elliot. In fact, I’m surprised I didn’t realize it sooner.” Sighing heavily, I continue. “It dawned on me when we were driving back to the hotel just now. The only reason why you would want to keep me in the dark is because you think that I can’t handle Vinnie, Motorlux, and what’s going on with you. Well, newsflash, that’s what I signed up for when I suggested being your fake fiancée.”

He mimics my stance. “Well, I told you that I didn’t want to make this week about me…”

“And I’m telling you that I want to know what’s going on with you, so open up, jackass.”

He huffs out a laugh. “Back to insulting me, huh?”

“Yes, when you deserve it,” I take a step closer to him and grip his chin as my eyes search his. “I’m not some delicate flower that can’t handle real life right now. You and I have gone through enough real-life shit together over the past six weeks. You told me you would be honest with me.”

He closes his eyes and sighs. “I’m handling it, Dilynne.”

“When are you going to realize you don’t have to handle everything on your own?”

When his eyes pop open, I see a hint of challenge in them. “And when are you going to take your own advice?” I release his chin and turn away from him. “What? You don’t like the truth?”

Something snaps into place in my chest. “Fine. You want the truth?”

“I haven’t wanted to push you, but since you’re demanding it from me, then yeah. I want your fucking truth, Dilynne.”

I toss my hands in the air, irritated and yet finally ready to admit what I’ve been feeling. “Fine! I think I like belonging to someone again! There! You happy?”

His brow lifts as he processes my words. “Someone…or me?”

I huff out a laugh and roll my eyes sarcastically. “Definitely not you.”

His grin grows. “Oh, yeah. That makes perfect sense, especially after the way you were just screaming as you came around my cock.”

I roll my eyes again, but he pulls me into his chest, wrapping his arms around me. “I hate you,” I mutter.

He kisses my temple and then my cheek. “No, I don’t think you do.”

My lips start to tremble as moisture builds in my eyes, and I avoid looking at him. “No. I—I definitely don’t.”

“Then why are you crying?” Elliot backs us up to the bed and lays me down as he hovers over me, stroking his finger down my cheek and across my lips as I close my eyes. “Look at me, Dil.”

I shake my head, so afraid to let him see what I’m feeling.

“Dilynne Marie Clark. Open your eyes and look at me.”

“I did not give you permission to middle name me.”

“I don’t need permission. You’re my fiancée, remember?”

“Fake fiancée,” I correct him, my eyes still closed. His lips land on mine, so soft and reverent that it makes me tear up more. “Fuck, Elliot. Please stop.”

“I don’t think that’s what you want.”

When I open my eyes, he’s staring down at me, but then I see it—the same feeling I have in my chest staring back at me—pure agony.

“I don’t,” I say, pulling him to me again, deepening our kiss this time and drowning in the way this man I thought I hated actually makes me feel.

“You like being mine, don’t you?” he mumbles against my lips.

“Yes, and I hate it.”

“Why?”

“Because watching you stand up for me today and protect me made me fall for you even more.”

When he lifts his head, our eyes lock again before he takes my hand and places it over the center of his chest. “I don’t hate it either, Dilynne.”

My lips tremble. “You’d better not hurt me, or I will find something way worse than bear shit to torture you with.”

“ I promise I won’t ever hurt you again, at least not intentionally. I want this with you, Dilynne. Are you telling me that you want the same? That you don’t want this to end when Motorlux is over?”

“This is insane,” I whisper. Hearing him say that lets me know we are on the same page, and we do want the same things.

“No, I think we’re both just seeing clearly now. We’re finally acknowledging what’s always been there but were too stubborn to admit.” He sighs as his eyes move across my face. “Look, I have a confession to make,” he says, blowing out a breath. “Something shifted for me months ago, Dilynne. Long before The Charming Bull.” His lips meet mine softly before he continues. “The moment you showed up for me after Tori, I saw you differently. I fought it, lord knows I tried, but I—”

“You hated that I was there, but I couldn’t leave you alone,” I say, interrupting him. “I didn’t want you to suffer the way I did after my breakup. I…”

“I know, but that stubbornness of yours? I think that’s what I finally let myself admit I love about you the most.”