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She shook her head. “You completely disappeared after . . . after what we shared. I trusted you—”
“I know, baby. I wish I could take it back. I was terrified of not being enough for Aspen and you. I thought you were better off without me. I didn’t want you to get hurt. But I guess I was the one doing the hurting.”
She sniffed.
“Tell me, do I have a chance? Can I earn back your trust? Can we be together again?”
“I don’t want to just be another responsibility for you to take on.”
“You won’t be—”
“But I am!” She pushed him away. Her chest heaved up and down. Emotions bled out from her eyes and her voice. She trembled. Pain lanced her chest. “I watched how much my condition drained my family of their energy, their finances, destroyed lives and relationships. I won’t do that to you and Aspen. You both deserve the world.”
Mason’s jaw ticced. He stepped closer, stealing all the air in the room with his closeness once again. Two strong hands cupped her face, gentle yet forceful. His blue eyes clouded over as they bore into her. “What if I told you, you are the world to us?”
She shook her head. No, there was no way. “What do you want from me?”
“Probably more than I deserve,” he grumbled before dropping his mouth to hers.
Pippa gasped. Tingles raced down her spine. Ropes of arousal unfurled from her center, winding through her body. Desire and lust, love and hope crashed through her in a tidal wave from the sensation of his lips on hers.
“You’re not a responsibility; you’re a privilege.” He kissed her, winding her up only to pull away again. “You’re not a burden, but a fucking benefit, Beauty.”
Something loosened inside her rib cage. Tears poured from her eyes as sobs tore from her throat. Mason pulled her against his hard chest, holding her while she fell apart. No. It’s too good to be true.
A memory flashed in her mind once more. I don’t say things I don’t mean.
She cried harder.
“Shhhh. I’m so sorry, baby. I let you slip through my fingers before, and I regretted it the moment you walked away. I thought you’d be better off without me. Won’t do it this time.”
She sniffed and pulled back to wipe her eyes.
“A wise woman once said that the people who really love you will make an effort to stay in your life. I’m gonna show you I can be what you need and be there for Aspen.”
Pippa offered him a watery smile. “A wise woman, huh?”
“The wisest.” He grinned.
“Mason, I don’t . . .”
“I know I hurt you. I know words don’t just make it better. So, I’m gonna show you how much you mean to me. I do learn from my mistakes, believe it or not. I won’t let you go so easily this time.”
His mouth slanted against hers, sealing his promise.
Pippa wanted him. Wanted what they’d shared that week Aspen was gone, and more. But was it safe to trust again? Could she survive him pulling away a second time? There was only one way to find out. But was she ready to jump and believe he would catch her?
