Almost Too Far (Almost Bad Boys #3) (15 page)

He’s watching me in silence, leaning on his bent arm and supporting himself on his elbow.
 

“I need you to see
me
, not someone else in me. Because there isn’t anyone else.”

“I know. And I don’t want anyone else, babe,” he says softly.
 

“Then let me be myself. Let me make my own choices. Don’t go overprotective on me.”

His brows pull together. He’s silent, and I’m waiting. I don’t want to lead him. He needs to do this on his own—to come to the realization that I’m not going to let him change me, because that would make me resent him. But does he understand that? Is he willing to accept me for who I am?
 

Colin slowly slides his fingers around my chin and down the side of my neck. A tiny smile is playing on his lips, and then he says, “Do you really think I’m acting domineering? Am I selfishly trying to fit you into some girlfriend template that I’ve constructed while being with Faith?”

I take another deep breath to calm my wildly beating heart. “That’s how I sometimes feel.”

Colin’s mouth opens slightly and he quietly asks, “You do?”

I bite my lip and nod.

He rolls over to lie on his back with his arms folded under his head. He’s staring silently at the ceiling. A few moments past and then a few more. I am completely still, waiting for him to talk. I think I’m even holding my breath.
 

The stillness in the room is overbearing. Finally, Colin says, “She was a difficult girl—not at first, but she gradually became one. I guess I took it upon myself to watch over her, to protect her, because that was what needed to be done. When you love someone… when… when they are lost, you just want to bring them back.” He turns his head to look at me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was doing that to you, baby.”
 

I smile sadly. Did I push him too far? I don’t want the panic attacks to come back. He’s been doing so well in the last few weeks.

Gently, Colin’s hand caresses the side of my arm, and I shiver. His touch means so much.
He
means so much to me.
 

I press the palm of my hand to his cheek, seeking the familiar warmth of his skin.
 

“Can we try this again?” he asks.
 

“Again?”

He smiles that dazzling, sexy smile that carries so much promise. “Can you give me one more chance to prove that I trust you?”

I cock my head to the side. “I can give you more than just one chance. I love you. This isn’t a test.”

He rolls over me, and his mouth is inches from mine. “I love you, too. I promise to back off. I didn’t realize I was a controlling jerk boyfriend. Will you forgive me?” Colin pecks me on the lips, grinning.
 

“It’s not about forgiving. It’s about moving forward.” I kiss him back and look into his eyes. There is something soft and vulnerable in there, just like when I held that baby at the party. Oh, Colin, you are mine, and I am yours.

Maybe we’ll never be truly perfect together. After all, who is? But we sure as hell will try our best. We just need to learn how to forget our past and let the trust take over. Because I start understanding that he indeed trusts me, but he is afraid to show it. It may be a while before we’ll get there, but I’m ready to give it a try. And now I think he is, too.
 

THE END OF ALMOST BAD BOYS SERIES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A.O. Peart writes in multiple adult, NA, and YA genres, including paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy, contemporary, sci-fi, and short stories. Almost Bad Boys is her first New Adult contemporary series. The action takes place in Seattle—the city, which she came to call her home. She describes herself as European born, American by choice.

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Almost Too Far novella completes the Almost Bad Boys series, although there are three spin-offs scheduled for publishing in 2014 and 2015.
 

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