Nicholas shook his head. “I’m protective of you and Elva. Those instincts have nothing to do with whether or not I trust you.”
I wanted to believe that, but if it was true, then why did he hesitate?
“I’ve been alone a long time, and I’ve gotten by just fine.” The words emerge from a place of hurt. He cut me by not trusting me. How did he think I had survived these past three years?
“Is it so wrong for me to what to keep you safe?” Nicholas’s brow crinkled in confusion. His frown was heavy set.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
I placed a hand over my aching heart. “Because you won’t be with me forever, Nick. If I get used to your protection, enough to let myself relax, how will I ever go back to how things were before? I need to stay tough and self-sustaining so that when this fantasy ends, I can contin
