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If it could be anyone, he would choose me.

And it kills me he doesn’t think he deserves the happily ever after his siblings have.

I still want to fix him. To heal him. To love him because he doesn’t love himself.

With one swift motion, he grips my chin and seals his lips over mine.

His madness, our madness, incinerates us whole. Every atom inside me thrums with awareness as I melt into his kiss, his passion, the truth in his words burrowing deep inside me.

In my profession, they say it’s foolish to attempt changing someone who doesn’t want to change themselves. It’s a Sisyphean task. I’ll bepushing that boulder uphill for eternity and eventually, because reality isn’t Greek mythology, it’ll roll down and squash me.

He’s trying to save me from the tragic ending. I recognize that now.

Rex pulls away, his lips tilting in a heartbreaking smile as he taps his temple again. “I’ll relive these memories over and over. This will be my forever.”

“I’ll get you help! Even if it’s not me. This doesn’t have to end—”

Shaking his head, he presses a finger to my lips. “You don’t know the whole truth. Maybe someday I’ll be brave enough to tell you, but I can’t. I’m not ready yet. Let me worship you. Let me be your spotlight. Please…just let me have this version of forever.”

I see the resolution in his eyes. The earlier pain burrows deeper inside me.

I should say no. I should push him away.

But for the first time in my life, I want to be in the spotlight.

His spotlight.

Even if it’s only for a few more days. Because I love him.

“Until the end of the cruise,” I whisper.

A groan ripples from his throat and he hoists me up and tosses me onto the recliner.

Then he falls upon me.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Rex kisses me likehe needs me to live. Our lips tangle with each other. He sucks on my tongue, groaning like it’s the best thing he’s tasted.

“You’re the only addiction I want. You drive me crazy,” he rasps, his hands tugging up my shirt until my breasts are bared.

“These beautiful tits,” he yanks down the cups of my bra, then swats one side, “redden so beautifully.”

“Rex.” I hiss when he bites my nipple. The pain soon disperses when he lashes the hard tip with his tongue. The pinch and pleasure combination drags a moan from my throat.

“Shhh… Sweetheart, these walls aren’t thick. Be quiet or I won’t continue. Okay?”

The maddening man stops his torture, clearly waiting for my response.

Damn him.

I heave out a shaky exhale. “Okay.”

Satisfaction glints in his eyes, a sly smile on his lips. “My good fucking girl.”

Wetness drips out of my core and my clit throbs at his words. Unlike the time in the supplies closet, I no longer rebel against that sentiment.

Because it’s an endearment from him—naughtiness, goodness all rolled into one. It’s no longer a pat on the back for a job well done because I colored within the lines.