A few seconds later, Declan followed.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I came to see you. You didn’t respond to my texts about catching up later tonight.”
I studied his handsome face, which under the moonlight looked older but sexier. He massaged his jaw. Something he did when emotionally challenged.
“You nearly caused a scene in there,” I said.
He looked me in the eyes. “Why didn’t you respond to my texts?”
“I turned off my phone.” I was about to walk off.
“Hey.” He took my arm.
“You don’t own me.”
His eyes shone with that uncertain fragile expression I caught a glimpse of when he first entered me. That look registered deep in my soul.
I really wanted to fall into his arms and pause this stupid game, despite my tougher side dictating that I make him sweat.
I wanted him to commit to us.
This arrangement confused me. He didn’t like to share, nor did I. It would tear me apart to know he was fucking someone else.
“Do you want to fuck him?” he asked.
“That’s none of your business. I’m just your fuck buddy,” I said. “You don’t own me.”
“I do own you.”
That powerful statement made me freeze on the spot. I turned to face him again.
He took my hand, the warmth of which shot up my arm and to my heart. His gaze burning into me.
“You’ve only ever been with me.” He tapped his heart. “That makes you a part of me.”
I had to tear myself away. His eyes shone with so much depth I was close to falling in again and drowning in emotion.
“But I thought you wanted me as your plaything. I’ve got a right to meet people and have other relationships. What happens when you are no longer interested?”
A line deepened between his brows. “Do you want to go out with other men?”
“Do you want to go out with other women?”
He trapped my eyes, while taking ages to answer. Every second made my heart pound harder—frightened of what he might say.
“I haven’t even looked at another woman since falling for you.”
Falling for me?
“I was your first. Doesn’t that mean something to you?” he asked, sounding even more fragile than ever.
I nodded. Hell yeah. Of course, it meant something. I’d lost more than my virginity to this man. I’d lost my fucking mind.
My heart too.
I bit my lip and looked down at my feet. I couldn’t tell him that. It would disempower me.