Treacherous

“Well, when you put it like that.” I grin, pressing my lips on his.

“THAT WAS….” I smile into Zayden’s bare chest, not really even sure how to describe what that just was.

Mind blowing doesn’t begin to cover it. Then again, it usually never does.

“Yeah.” His lips press to the top of my head. “Kind of makes me wish we had moved in together instead of agreeing to live separately for the first year.”

“Me too,” I admit.

“I hope you know I’m going to be here every night that you’re not at my dorm.”

“I hope you know I’m not staying in some stinky dorm that you share with another dude,” I tease.

“Such a spoiled princess.” He squeezes my side playfully.

“I am not a princess.” I pop my head up and give him a pointed look.

“Yes you are.” He grins, tucking my hair over my shoulder. He leans in so his lips are a beat away from mine. “Don’t worry, I still love you.”

“Is that so?”

“It is. And you want to know why?” He’s talking so quietly his voice is almost a whisper.

“Why?”

“Because I love every part of you.”

“I love every part of you, too.” I close the small gap between us and lay a light kiss to his lips.

“I mean it, Rylee. You have changed my life in unimaginable ways. You’ve made me realize things I never thought I wanted. You’ve made me believe in myself in ways I never did before. You took me from a selfish, lost boy, and turned me into a man I’m proud to be.”

“Zayden.” His name barely escapes my lips. As much as I love dirty talking, tough guy Zayden, I love the sweet, gentle side of him even more.

“I’m serious. You are everything to me. Everything,” he reiterates. “I need you to know that.”

“I do know that. Because you tell me every day.” I kiss him again. “My closet sweetheart.”

“Just don’t tell anyone. It would ruin my reputation.” He chuckles, rolling us so that I’m pinned beneath him.

“Your secret is safe with me,” I promise.

“I love you.” He leans down, resting his forehead against mine.

“And I love you,” I whisper back.

Things with Zayden haven’t always been easy, but it’s always been worth it. From the moment I first opened the door to find him standing on my front porch, I knew there was something there. Something that doesn’t come along very often. And while we may have started off on the wrong foot, eventually we both found our way to each other. And I’d do it all over again if it meant that we would end up right back here.

We’re far from perfect and nothing is without hardship, but when two people love each other as fiercely and deeply as Zayden and I do, there isn’t a thing you can’t overcome.

I don’t know what the future holds for us next. But I do know that as I branch out on this new adventure, there’s no one I’d rather have by my side than Zayden Michaels.

He started out as my bully. Then he became my protector. And now, he is the love of my life.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way….

The End