A slow smile spreads over Kingsley’s face. “Sure. We can exchange notes later, although I bet yours will be much more interesting than mine.”
I stick my tongue out at her, which only makes her laugh as she walks away. “Enjoy it.”
I shake my head as I close the door and turning around, I lean back against it.
Falcon is still standing exactly where I left him, bracing himself with hands against the wall. I let my eyes glide over the wide expanse of his back, his trim waist, perfect butt, and strong legs.
There’s so much power in this man.
Not only is he physically strong, but he has the kind of influence most people can’t even begin to imagine.
And me… I’m an eighteen-year-old girl who managed to make him lose control.
For a moment, a dizzying feeling of power overwhelms me. I cover my mouth with a trembling hand as the realization hits hard.
Falcon turns and rests his back against the wall, and when his eyes find mine, I can see he realized the same thing.
“In my world having a weakness is dangerous,” he admits, his voice low and hoarse. There’s a vulnerability in his eyes which makes me want to hold him. “You’re my weakness.”
I shake my head and dropping my hand from my mouth, I rush over to him. I wrap my arms around him and struggle to keep my emotions from overwhelming me.
When his arms remain hanging at his side instead of hugging me back, I look up at him. There’s something in his eyes I never thought I’d see… fear.
“I didn’t know it would cost so much.”
I pull back and wrap my arms around myself. “What?”
“A moment,” he whispers. A slight frown forms on my forehead, but then he explains, “A moment of being someone’s next breath. Of meaning something more than just this…” He looks like he’s about to cry, and it makes my eyes blur with tears. “Something more than this black and white existence.”
“What was the price?” I ask, not sure I want to hear his answer.
His eyes lower to the floor and minutes pass before he looks at me again. “Giving you the power to crush the one thing no one else has access to.”
Knowing exactly what he means, I urgently shake my head. “I won’t do that.”
“That’s a promise you can’t make, Layla.”
“I can,” I argue.
“Nothing lasts forever,” he whispers, a heartbreakingly sad look flashing over his face.
“Not in your world, Falcon. In mine, there are things that last.”
“How can you say that when your parents are divorced?” he asks.
I smile past the sadness I feel for him. “Because they never ended, Falcon. They just got divorced, but they’re still good friends. They still share a glass of wine, and my mom will complain about her work, and my dad will complain about delayed flights.” A tear slips over my cheek, but I still keep smiling. “My parents still love each other. They never stopped.”
“How do you feel about me, Layla?” Falcon asks a resigned look making him come across distant again.
“I like you, Falcon.”
The corner of his mouth lifts, but it’s only slightly. “That’s the problem. I’m the only one who fell.” He pushes away from the wall and walks toward the door.
“No. Wait!” I cry, and I rush past him. Blocking the door with my body, I say, “I’ve fallen.”
Falcon closes his eyes for a moment before he opens them to look at me.
“Falcon, I’m in love with you.”
He stares at me a while longer, his eyes searching mine for the truth.
“I’m in love with you,” I whisper, my throat closing up with everything I feel.
Every painful heartbeat because I realized Falcon hasn’t been loved before. He’s been given everything, but love.
Slowly, I push away from the door, and I lift my hands to his face. He clenches his jaw as he struggles with his own emotions.
“I’ll never use your feelings for me against you.”
I promise you this.
“Instead of me being your weakness, let me be your strength.”
Please. Please let me show you I’m a loyal person who will never use you.
Taking hold of my hips, he lowers his head until his forehead rests against mine.
“This got serious really fast,” he whispers.
I let out a tired chuckle, drained from the intense feelings. “Yeah.” I hunch down a little, so I can catch his eyes. “Want to take a nap with me?”
“Yeah.”
“Come on.” We walk to my bedroom, and I close the curtains.
Falcon lies down on the same spot he did the night of the attack, then holds his arm open for me. I get on the bed and crawl over to him, and lying on my side, I rest my head on his chest. He places his hand on the side of my head, then turns his body into mine while wrapping his other arm around me.