“Fine. I want to amend the agreement,” he announced.
Too late. “No.”
“No?”
“N.O. Absolutely not.”
“Why?”
“Because you were adamant about what this was between us. You said it wasn’t anything but sex. A release for us both. You can’t take that back now on a whim.”
He gnashed his teeth, striding forward until we were only a few inches apart. “I was wrong.”
Lifting my chin, I didn’t reply.
“I didn’t know it would fucking feel like this,” he spat.
Annoyed, I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear about it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sharing you,” he growled. “I didn’t think I’d feel this way.”
Blowing out a breath in frustration, I rolled my eyes. “Daniel—”
“Wait.” He pushed me back gently, caging me in against the wall by the doorframe. “Let me think.”
“Fine.”
He must believe I slept with other members of the club while we were together because his reaction didn’t make sense. Funny thing was, I hadn’t been with anyone but Daniel since we struck this agreement. Of course, I wasn’t telling him shit. He’d have to figure it all out on his own.
Snooki better keep her mouth shut. She didn’t need to tell him that once I told her about the agreement, she said I could stop seeing the other guys. Since I’d been trying to find a way out of the club girl obligation, I didn’t hesitate to agree.
Daniel’s forehead lowered to mine, briefly resting as he slowly breathed. “I don’t know how it happened or when, but you got under my skin, Skyla. Being with you makes me happy. Fuck, it’s given me something to focus on besides all the pain and hate and rage.”
“If that’s true, why did you walk away from me like you did?” I smacked his chest, hating how vulnerable I sounded. “You promised me not to be cruel, but that’s exactly how you acted.”
“Shit, Skyla, precious,” he whispered, lifting his head to stare into my eyes. “I didn’t know how to handle my emotions and feelings for you. They fucking scared me.”
“Why? Because of Cindi?”
He swallowed, a sad smile forming on his lips. “I never thought I could feel that way about someone again. That I’d begin to care about you as deeply as I do.”
It wasn’t a declaration of love, but I didn’t need that. I just wanted his honesty and respect.
“I care about you too, Daniel.”
“I know you do. That’s why you got so pissed.” He gave me a cocky grin, followed by a wink. “I don’t want this to end. Do you?”
“No. I don’t,” I answered honestly.
“Good.”
“I don’t want to stop being a part of your life, Daniel. Zara’s too. She’s special. I can’t imagine not watching her grow up now.” Tears filled my eyes, and I felt stupid for becoming emotional.
Daniel’s thumb brushed across my cheek. “Hey, I don’t plan on letting you go, remember? Zara would be devastated. She depends on you.”
She did. But what about him? “And you?”
“I think I’ve made that clear,” he laughed, dropping a kiss on my lips. “I need you too.”